/^V^^^i^-^^^^"^^^^  ^CCc/ 


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LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

Theological    Seminary, 

^PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

Cftse, .y,.,^Crr.  v.—^. n|v4sion   / 

Shelf^  Axon.. .,uon.. 

^ook, a..,. / \i 


ACCOUNT 

O  F       T  H   E 

GOSPEL     LABOURS, 

r 
AND 

CHRISTIAN     EXPERIENCES 

t 

O   F      A 

FAITHFUL      MINISTER 
Of       CHRIST, 

JOHN    CHURCHMAN, 

Late  of  Nottingham  in  Fennfylvania^  deceafed. 

V  t 

To  which  is  added  V  fhort  Memorial  of  the  Life  and 
Death  of  a  fellow  Labourer  in  the  Church,  our  valuable 
Fiiend  JOSEPH   WHITE,  late  of  Bucks  County. 

■  ■' 

\      Daniel  xi    33.    xii.  4. 
/^nd  they  that  \nderjiand  among  the  People ^  Jloall  inJituSi  ma?:y. 
Many  fhall  run  to  and  fro  ^  and  Kno'wledge  Jhall  he  increafed^ 


PHILADELPHIA: 

Printed    by    JOSEPH     CRUKSHANK,     ov 

THE   North    side    of   Market-Street,    between 

Second  and    Third-Streets. 

ul  n  Q  c  L  X  X  I  X , 


(     iii     ) 


TO         THE 


R  E,  A  D  E  R. 


TN  the  perufal  of  the  following  pages  tlioii 
-*-  wilt  receive  a  pious  man's  plain  account 
of  his  beginning  in  the  weighty  work  of  re- 
ligion, and  his  progrefs  in  a  life  devoted  to 
promote  the  caufe  of  righteouihefs,  and  the 
real  happinefs  of  mankind. 

Having  experienced  the  Spiritual  baptifm 
which  is  eflential  to  falvation,  and  abiding 
in  a  ftate  of  watchfulnefs  and  humility,  he 
became,  under  the  Lord's  Anointing,  a  well 
qualified  inftrument  for  the  inftrudlion  anc} 
edification  of  others  in  the  way  of  God- 
linefs,  and  by  attending  to  the  gift  of  Gofpel 
miniftry  committed  to  his  truft,  and  per- 
forming the  duties  required  of  him,  he  wit- 
neffed  a  growth  from  ftature  to  flature,  an4 
attained  to  be  an  upright  elder  and  father  in 
the  church,  being  an  example  to  the  helievers^ 
in  ivord  in  converfation^  in  Jpirit^  in  faith ^  and^ 
charity. 

It  is  not  for  form  fake  or  from  a  mere  mo- 
tive of  commendation,  that  any  thing  is  here 

premifed 


[       IV        ) 

premifed  refpe6ling  the  deceafed;  but  as  the 
enfuing  narrative  will  be  likely  to  come  un- 
der the  obfervation  of  many  to  whom  he  was 
either  little  known,  or  wholly  a  ftranger,  it 
feems  neceflary  for  the  information  of  fuch- 
enquirers,  to  make  known  the  eftimation  in 
which  he  was  held  by  his  brethren  with  whom 
he  was  connedled  in  religious  fociety,  who 
have  given  full  declaration  of  their  chriftian 
unity  and  fellowlhip  with  him,  and  that  his 
life  and  conduct  adorned  the  dodlrine  of  the 
Gofpel,  which  he  was  concerned  to  publifli. 

The  monthly  and  quarterly-meetings  of 
which  he  was  a  member  from  their  firil:  efta- 
blifliment,  and  who  were  many  years  partak- 
ers of  his  pious  example  and  labours,  after 
recounting  divers  of  his  vilits  abroad,  which, 
are  fully  related  by  himfelf,  tellify,  that 

"  Altho'  he  was  of  a  weakly  conftitution, 
and  often  infirm,  efpecially  in  the  latter  part 
of  his  life,  yet  he  appeared  to  be  much  de- 
voted to  the  fervice  of  Truth  and  the  good 
of  mankind,  and  gave  up  his  time  for  that 
purpofe,  when  he  apprehended  it  was  re- 
quired of  him,  being  favoured  with  a  fuf- 
ficiency  of  outward  things,  and  we  believe 
he  flood  loofe  from  the  world,  and  its  con- 
nections, not  feeking,  but  refraining  op- 
portunities he  might  have  had  to  get  out- 
ward riches  ;  he  vifited  neighbouring  year- 
ly, quarterly,  and  other  meetings  of  friends 
at  times  to  his  lail  year,  and  was  truly  ufe- 

"  ful 


(      V     ) 

ful  In  the  difclpllne  of  the  church,  having 
a  valuable  gift  in  that  refpefl,  and  w^as  a 
good  example  in  a  diligent  care  to  attend 
all  the  meetings  both  for  worfhip  and  dif- 
cipline  to  which  he  belonged,  cautious  of 
being  forward  in  his  public  appearances, 
and  for  the  mod  part  exampled  us  to  filence 
in  our  meetings  at  home,  efpecially  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  time ;  yet  when  he  did 
appear  in  teftimony  we  think  it  may  be 
truly  faid  his  dodtrine  dropt  as  the  dew, 
being  lively,  and  edifying  to  the  honeft 
hearted,  tho'  clofe,  and  fearching  to  the 
carelefs  profefTors,  as  well  as  to  the  pro- 
phane,  and  hypocritical." 

*'  The  elders  who  have  ruled  well  are  to  be 
accounted  honourable,  fo  the  remembrance 
of  the  fatherly,  diligent,  humble,  upright, 
honeft,  and  felf-denying  example  of  this 
our  deceafed  friend,  as  aifo  his  various  fer- 
vices  in  our  meetings  and  neighbourhood 
remain  frefii,  and  of  a  pleafant  favour  to 
to  many  minds." 

Ahftracl  from  the  teftimony  of  the  monthly -meeting 
of  Nottingha?n  dated  fourth  month  twenty -fe-venth 
1776,  and  figned  by  Samuel  England^  clerk. 

Which  is  certified  to  be  read  and  approved  in  the 
Wefiern  quarterly-meeting  held  at  London  Grove 
in  Chefier  County j  the  nineteenth  of  the  eighth 
vionth  17765  by  Ifaac  Jackfon^  clerks 

In  confirmation  of  the  truth  of  which 
-memorial  concerning  him,  many  others  of 
his  brethren  in  various  places  can  freely 
fubfcribe. 


\ 


A     N 

A     C     G     O     U     N     T 

O  F       T   H    E 

LIFE   AND   TRAVELS 

O       F 

JOHN  CHURCHMAN. 


G  H  A  p.       I. 

His  early  finfe  of  the  mprejftons  of  divine  love^  and 
fpiritual  confli6is  in  his  youth, — Death  of  his  fa^ 
ther — His  marriage — ^he  fettlement  of  a  monthly 
meeting  at  Nottingham — His  joining  with  other 
friends  in  vifiting  of  families  the  firji  and  fecond 
time — His  being  appointed  an  Elder ^  and  frjl  ap^ 
pearance  in  the  miniftry^    &c. 

Was  born  in  the  Townflilp  of  Nottingham, 
in  the  County  of  Chefter,  and  Province  of 
Pennfylvania,  on  the  Fourth  Day  of  the  Sixthr- 
Month,  1705,  and  was  tenderly  brought  up  in 
profellion  of  the  Truth  by  my  parents,  John  and 
Hannah  Churchman,  who  were  diligent  atten- 
ders  of  Religious  Meetings,  both  on  the  hrft,  and 
other  days  of  the  week,  and  encouragers  of  their 
children  in  that  pra<^ice,  which  is  certainly  a  duty 

B  in 


1  The   life   and  TRAVELS   * 

inrparents  fo  to  do,  and  often  owned  by  the  reaches 
oi  Divine  Love,  even  to  thofe  who  are  very  young 
in  years,  of  which  I  am  a  living  Witnefs ;  for  tho* 
I  early  felt  reproof  for  bad  words  and  actions, 
yet  knew  not  whence  it  came,  until  about  the  age 
of  eight  years,  as  I  fat  in  a  fmall  meeting,  the 
Lord  by  the  reaches  of  his  heavenly  love,  and 
goodnefs,  fo  overcame  and  tendered  my  heart, 
and  by  his  glorious  light  difcovered  to  me  the 
knowledge  of  himfelf,  that  I  faw  myfelf,  and  v\^hat 
I  had  been  doing,  and  what  it  was  which  had  re- 
proved me  for  evil,  and  was  made  in  the  fecret 
of  my  heart  to  confefs  that,  childhood  and  youth, 
and  the  foollili  adions  and  words,  to  which  they 
are  propenfe,  are  truly  vanity ;  yet  blefled  for 
ever  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  !  who  in  his  infinite 
mercy  and  goodnefs  clearly  informed  me,  that  it 
I  would  mind  the  difcoveries  of  his  Truth,  and 
pure  Light  for  the  future,  what  I  had  done  in  the 
time  of  my  ignorance,  he  would  wink  at  and  for- 
give ;  and  Oh  !  the  flream  of  Love  which  filled 
my  heart  with  folid  Joy  at  that  time,  and  lafled 
for  many  days,  is  beyond  all  expreflion  ;  indeed 
I  was  early  taught  to  think  different  from  fuch  who 
hold  the  perdition  of  infants,  and  am  f^nce  con- 
firmed in  fully  believing  that  the  fin  of  our  firfl: 
parents  is  not  imputed  to  us,  (tho'  as  their  off- 
fpring  v/e  are  by  nature  prone  to  evil,  which  brings 
•wrath)  until  by  the  difcovery  of  light  and  grace,  we 
are  taught  to  dliVmguiili  between  good  and  evil, 
and  in  the  feed  and  inward  principle  that  fheweth 
the  evil,  we  feel  the  enmity  placed  againfl  the  evil, 
and  the  author  thereof,  the  devil,  or  wicked  one; 
if  we  afterwards  commit  thofe  things  which  we 
faw  to  be  evil,  we  then  fall  under  condemnation, 
and  wrath,  and  here  every  ioul  that  fins  muft  die 
to  the  fin  he  hath  committed,  and  witnefs  the  being 

raifed 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.  3 

raifed  again  by  the  power  of  God,  into  newnefs^^of 
life  in  Christ  Jesus,  not  to  live  to  himfelr,  to 
fulfil  the  will  of  the  flefh  ;  but  to  live  unto  him, 
who  died  to  take  away  fin. 

I  may  not  forget  to  relate  this  one  thing ;    my 
father  fent  me  about  three  miles  on  an  errand  ;    I 
rode  a  mare  which  had  a  colt  perhaps  half  a  year 
old ;    on  my  return  home,    the  colt  ran-away  from 
the  mare  to  a  company  of  wild  horfes,   which  were 
feeding  not  far  from  the  path  I  was  in,    fo  I  went 
home  without  the  colt ;    my  father  afl-;ed  me  where 
the  colt  was,  I  told  him  where  it  went  from  me ;  he 
bid  me  go  to  the  place  with  fpeed,    that  it  might 
follow  the   mare   home  ;     I  went,    and  found  the 
wild   horfes   feeding  on  a  piece  of   ground  where 
the  timber  trees  had  been  killed  perhaps  about  two, 
or  three  years  ;   but  before  I  went  among  the  dead 
trees,  a  mighty  wind  arofe,  which  blewfome  down^ 
and  many  limbs  flew  about  ;    I  flood  ftill  with  my 
mind  turned  inward  to  the  Lord,    who  I  believed 
was   able  to   preferve  me  from  hurt  ;     fo  I  pafied 
among  the  trees  without  fear,  fave  the  fear  of  -the 
Lord,  which  fills  the  hearts  of  his  humble  depend- 
ing children,  with  love  that  is  ftronger  than  death'^, 
I  found  the  colt,  which  readily  followed  the  niare^ 
and  I  returned  home  with  great  bowednefs  of  heart, 
and   thankfulnefs  to  the  Lord,    for  his  merqy    and 
goodnefs  to  me  on  this  occafion. 

It  was  my  practice  when  i  went  to  bed,  to  exa- 
mine how  I  had  fpent  the  pafl  day,  a^id  to  endea- 
vour to  feel  the  prefence  of  the  Lord  near,  vvhi^rh 
I  did  for  fome  confiderable  time  prefer  to  all  dthet 
things,  and  I  found  this  pradiee  a  great  help  Co-fleef) 
fweetly,  and  by  long  experience  I  can  reGomiiien'd 
it  to  children,  and  thofe  alfo  of  riper  age. 

I  fuppofe  that  no  one  hving  knew  my  c"(3ndition  ; 
for  I  delighted  to  keep  hidden,  yet  quick  to  obferve 

th^ 


4  The    life   and  TRAVELS 

the  condud  of  others ;  I  remember  that  a  perfon 
once  at  my  father's  who  fpake  about  religious-  mat- 
ters witlj  an  afl'eded  tone,  as  if  he  was  a  good  man; 
when  he  went  avyay,  I  was  near  him,  and  when  he 
mounted  his  horfe,  taking  a  diilike  to  fome  of  his 
motions,  he  called  him  an  ugly  dumb  bead,  with 
fuch  an  .iiccent,  as  befpake  great  difpleafvire,  and 
grieved  m;e  :mu<th  ;  for  I  did  believe,  that  a  man 
u'hofe  mind  was  .fweetened  with  divine  love  truly, 
would  not  fpeak  wratlifully,  or  diminutively,' even 
of  the  beads  of  the  field,  which  were  given  to  man 
for  his  ufe,  he  did  not  make  them  himfelf ;  I  relate 
this  inflance,  that  it  may  be  a  warning  to  all,  that 
they  be  careful  of  giving  offence  to  the  little  ones. 

Notwithftanding  I  had  been  favoured  as  before 
mentioned ;  '  yet  as  I  grew  in  years,  I  was  much 
given  to  play,  and  began  to  delight  again  in  feveral 
things,  for  which  I  had  before  been  reproved,  and 
ftill  by  the. divine  witnefs  in  my  mind,"  was  brought 
under  judgment  for ;  but  having  loft  m.y  innocence 
and  covering  of  the  pure  bleffed  fpirit,  I  endea- 
voured through  fear  to  fly  from  the  voice  of  the 
holy  fpirit  in  my  own  heart ;  the  enemy  perfuaded 
me,  that  1  could  never  be  reflored  to  my  former 
flate,  becaufe  I  had  fmned  againft  fo  great  know- 
ledge, or  iff?  1-: was i  the  judgment  through  which  I 
tnuft  pafs,  would  be  intolerable  to  bear,  fo  that  I 
had  better  be  chcarful,  and  take  my  eafe  and  de- 
light j.  hut  when  I  was  about  nine  years  old,  my 
father  fent  me  to  fchool  to  learn  to  read,  (having 
^^en  taugjxt  to- know  my  letters,  and  fpell  a  little  at 
home)  in  which  1  took  great  delight,  and  thereby 
diverted  myfelf  from  feeling  my  pain  of  mind,  for 
t^l^€  .'great  lo Is  of  my  innocence  which  1  had  fuflain- 
ed;  and  althoV  the:  m/an,  by  whom  I  was  taught, 
wa^'  poor,  and  fat  in  his  loom,  bel.;g  a  weaver, 
while  the  children  read  to  him,   1  improved  very 

fail. 


OF  JOHN     CHURCHMAN.  5 

fa-ft,  and  he  foon  put  me  to  writing,  and  finding 
my  capacity  full  as  ripe  as  is  common  in  boys  of 
tiiat  age,  he  began  to  teach  me  Arithmetic;  yet 
gracious  goodnefs  fiill  favored  me  with  conviftion, 
and  by  his  fpirit  was  witnefs  againd  me,  and  in 
mercy  the  Lord  vifited  me  with  a  fore  fit  of  fick- 
nefs,  and  by  his  rod  of  corredion  brought  me  a 
little  more  to  myfelf;  this  was  in  the  forepart  of 
the  winter,  when  I  was  between  nine,  and  ten  years 
-of  age,  and  being  pretty  well  recovered  for  fome 
^weeks,  I  had  in  the  following  fpring  a  relapfe  of 
the  fame  diforder,  (the  pleurify)  in  which,  by  cut- 
w^ard  correction  with  iicknefs,  and  inward  judg- 
ment, he  was  pleafed  to  drav/  me  to  him.felf,  which 
caufed  me  to  renew  my  covenant  with  him,  and  I 
did  hope  never  more  to  flray  from  him,  to  follow 
lying  vanities,  whofs  fv/eets  I  had  experienced  to  be 
bitter,  yea  exceeding  bitternefs  in  the  end.  I  had 
taken  great  delight  from  a  child  to  play  w^ith  whif- 
ties,  and  pipes,  made  of  the  bark  of  fmall  branches 
of  trees,  and  of  draws  of  wheat  and  rye;  but  now 
it  grieved  me  to  obferve  children  delight  therein, 
and  I  ventured  to  tell  my  mind  to  fome  of  them 
concerning  fuch  things 

Man  is  diltinguiflied  from  other  creatures  not 
only  by  his  voice ;  but  by  varying  the  breath  toge- 
ther with  the  orderly  motion  of  tongue  and  lips; 
that  voice  is  made  to  convey  the  ideas  of  the  mind, 
and  thoughts  of  the  heart  to  his  fellow-creatures, 
and  as  he  was  created  to  glorify  his  maker,  the 
end  and  intention  of  his  voice  fhould  be  directed 
to  promote  his  glory  among  men;  w^iether  in  thinp-s 
natural,  or  fpiritual,  that  is  of  this  life,  or  that  to 
come;  muiic  as  now  commonly  ufed,  and  w^hiftling 
and  fmging,  have  no  fuch  tendency ;  but  are  rather 
diverfions  of  the  mind  from  what  it  ought  to  be 
employed  about,  and  therefore  a  bafe  comfumption 

of 


6        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

of  precious  time,  which  man  muft  be  accountable 
for,  which  if  enough  regarded,  indead  of  mufic, 
whiftling,  and  fmglng  merry,  foohfli,  and  prophane 
fongs,  many  would  have  occafion  to  lament  and 
weep  for  their  milpent  time.  I  leave  it  as  a  caution 
to  parents,  to  beware  of  indulging  their  dear  chil- 
dren in  any  thing,  which  may  imprefs  their  tender 
minds  with  a  defire  after  mufic,  or  fuch  diverfion 
when  they  grow  in  years;  but  that  inftead  thereof, 
by  living  in  the  pure  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  near 
the  fpirit  of  truth  in  their  own  hearts,  they  may  be 
furniihed  with  example,  and  precept  to  dired  the 
minds  of  their  offspring,  to  attend  to  the  voice  of 
him  who  called  to  Samuel  in  days  of  old,  and  re- 
mains to  be  the  fame  teacher  to  his  people  in  this 
ace ;  m^ay  his  holy  name  be  magnifyed  for  ever, 
and   ever! 

I  retained  .my  care,  and  circumfpedlion  for  fome 
time;  but  through  unwatchfulneis,  and  a  defire  for 
play  which  led  into  lightnefs,  and  forgetfulnefs,  I 
lofl  this  ftate  before  I  was  twelve  years  of  age,  and 
tho'  the  Lord  was  near,  and  followed  me  by  his 
reproof,  in  order  to  bring  me  under  judgment,  1  fled 
from  it  as  much  as  I  could ;  having  let  in  a  belief, 
that  as  I  had  been  favoured  to  taife  in  fo  v/onderful 
a  manner,  "  of  the  good  word  of  Life,  and  power 
of  the  world  to  come,  and  had  fo  fliamefuUy  fallen 
away,  there  remained  for  me,  no  more  facrifice  for 
fm;  but  a  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment,  and 
fiery  indignation,"  which  as  I  thought  feemed  to 
burn  in  me  to  that  degree,  that  I  was  afraid  to  be 
alone,  for  it  feemed  to  be  loudly  proclaimed  in  me, 
that  whether  I  eat,  or  drank,  waked,  or  flept,  I  was 
accurfed,  and  when  alone  I  abhorred  myielf;  but 
when  in  company  ufed  my  utmoft  endeavors  to  hide 
my  condition,  by  being  chearful  and  arch  in  my 
difcourfe,  and  was  thought  by  molt  young  people  to 

havq 


OF  JOHN     CHURCHMAN.  j 

have  a  knack  as  they  called  it,  at  jelling  and  witty 
turns;  yet  even  in  this  time,  1  entertained  fuch  a 
value  for  religion,  that  1  was  not  willing  to  reveal 
my  fituation;  left  I  ihould  be  a  reproach  thereto, 
or  difcourage  others  from  feeking  happinefs;  but 
when  night  came,  and  1  went  to  bed,  no  tongue 
can  exprefs  the  anguifh  I  felt,  afraid  to  lay  awake, 
and  afraid  to  defire  ileep,  left  1  Ihould  be  cut  off 
from  the  land  of  the  living,  and  my  portion  appoint- 
ed in  utter  darknefs, ;  I  fo  far  neglected  my  learn- 
ing, that  when  about  thirteen  years  old,  I  could 
not  read  but  in  a  poor  manner,  iho'  once  noted  to 
be  a  ready  reader  ;  I  was  not  willing  that  good 
friends  fhould  take  notice  of  me,  or  look  me  ftea- 
dily  in  the  face  ;  for  I  thought  they  would  difcern 
my  wickednefs,  and  it  would  be  a  trouble  to  them, 
or  by  their  reproving  me,  add  to  my  diftrefs  ;  I 
feemed  to  be  left  without  any  power  to  refift  what 
I  knew  to  be  evil,  and  being  alhamed  that  1  had  fo 
loft  my  little  learning,  I  fought  to  divert  myfelf  by 
endeavouring  to  regain  it ;  my  form.er  genius,  and 
delight  fo  returned,  that  when  I  was  about  fifteen 
years  of  age,  I  had  made  great  improvement,  not 
only  in  reading,  but  in  writing,  and  arithmetick, 
and  feveral  branches  of  the  mathematicks,  and  be- 
gan to  value  myfelf  in  fome  degree  thereon,  and  fo 
got  over  the  convidions  of  the  divine  witnefs, 
which  fpoke, -trouble  in  me;  neverthelefs  during 
this  time  I  kept  clofe  in  attending  meetings,  hoping 
at  feafons,  that  perhaps  the  Lord  would  condefcend 
once  more  to  viht  me;  for  a  faying  of  an  eminent 
pious  man  was  revived  in  my  remembrance  "  That 
"  if  there  remained  a  defire  in  the  heart  after  Re- 
"  demption,  as  it  was  kept  to,  the  Lord  v/ould 
"  again  afluredly  vifit  fuch  in  his  ov/n  time.''  So 
that  I  was  fearful  of  negleding  meetings,  if  my 
parents  had  not  forwarded  me,  left  I  might  mifs  of 


8  The   life   and  TRAVELS 

the  good  intended  for  me ;  yet  the  fubtle  working 
of  the  power  of  darknefs  was  at  times  very  greatj 
fuggelling  to  me  that, all  things  came  by  nature, 
and  that  there  was  no  God,  no  heaven,  no  devil ; 
no  punifhment  for  evil,  religion  a  jeft,  and  painful 
care  about  futurity  a  filly  whim,  propagated  to  de- 
prive people  of  pleafare  •,.  but  bleifed  be  the  Lord  I 
he  prefcrved  me  from  that  fnare,  for  while  I  felt 
his  judgment  for  fm,  I  believed  in  his  Being,  and 
hohnefs,  and  I  am  indeed  fully  of  the  mind,  that 
no  man  can  be  an  Atheift  before  he  acts  contrary 
to  knowledge,  when  to  allay  the  horror,  and  an- 
guifh  of  mind,  he  feels  for  the  commiflion  of  hn, 
he  clofes  in  with  this  temptation.  At  other  times, 
the  fame  fubtle  power  would  tempt  me  to  difpair 
of  mercy,  which  if  given  way  to,  would  lead  to 
diftraction ;  but  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  under- 
neath, tho'  for  my  difobedience  he  fuftered  me  to 
remain  in  the  wildernefs,  and  to  dwell  among  fiery 
ferpents,  until  he  had  wafled  that  in  me,  which 
lulled  after  forbidden  things. 

In  this  ftate  I  continued  until  I  was  about  nine- 
teen years  of  age,  and  as  I  was  walking  one  day 
to  meeting,  thinking  on  my  forlorn  condition,  and 
remembring  the  bread  in  my  heavenly  Father^s 
houfe,  when  I  was  a  dutiful  child,  and  that  by 
ftraying  from  him,  and  fpending  my  portion,  I 
had  been  eight  years  in  grievous  want,  I  inwardly 
cried,  if  thou  art  pleafed  again  to  vifit  m^e,  I  be- 
feech  thee  Oh  Lord!  vifit  my  body  with  ficknefs, 
or  pain,  or  whatever  thou  may  pleafe,  fo  that  the 
will  of  the  old  man  may  be  llain  with-  the  tranf- 
grefiion,  and  every  thing  in  me,  that  thy  contro- 
verfy  is  againlc,  that  I  may  be  made  a  fandified 
vcHel  by  thy  power ;  fpare  only  my  life,  until  my 
redempiion  is  wrought,  and  my  peace  made  v^^ith 
thee  1 

About 


bF  JOHN  CHURCHMAN.  9 

About  this  time  my  father  died  in  the  tenth  months 
1724,    which  was  a  great  lofs  to  our  whole  family, 
and  as  he  had  allotted  me  to  live  with,    and  take 
care  of   my  mother,    it  became  my  duty  to  keep 
moftly  at  home ;  I  fpent  near  a  year  much  in  the 
condition  above  mentioned ;    often  out  of  hope  of 
ever  attaining  to  that  ftate,    I  had  witneifed  when 
Very  young  ;    but  in  the  fall  of  the  year  after  I  had. 
arrived  to  the  age  of  20  years  ;  it  pleafed  the  Lord 
to  remember  me,   who  had  been  an  Exile,   in  cap- 
tivity under  the  old  tafkmafter  in  Egypt  fpiritually, 
and  by  his  righteous  judgments  mixed  with  unfpeak- 
able  mercies,    to  make  way  for  my  deliverance  ;  I 
was  vifited  with  a  fore  fit  of  ficknefs,  which  in  a  few 
days  fo  fully  awakened  me,  that  I  had  no  hope  of 
ever  being  again  intruded  with  health ;  my  mifpent 
time,  and  all  my  tranfgreflions  were  brought  to  mf 
remembrance,    and  heavy  judgment  was  upon  me 
for  them ;  I  was  met  with  in  this  narrow  path,  and 
could  no  longer  fly  from  God  and  his  fpirit  in  my 
confcience,    whofe  fore  difpleafure  I  had  juftly  in- 
curred.    I  had  heard  of  men  who  had  been  noto- 
rious offenders,    and  fled  from  the  juflice  of  the 
common  law,    until  they  became  out-lawed ;    fuch 
in    a    fpiritual    fenfe    my  cafe   appeared  to  be  ;    I 
thought  I  had  as  it  were  heard  an  a6i:  of  grace  and 
free  pardon  repeatedly  proclaimed,    if  I  would  re- 
turn and  live  uprightly  for  the  future  ;    but  in  the 
time  of  fuch  vifitations,  I  concluded  it  was  only  to 
bring  me   under   judgment  to   take  me  from  my 
pleafure,    for  that  mine  offences   would  never  be 
pardoned,*  and  fo  I  had  withftood,    or  negle£led 
thofe  vifitations ;    I  now  faw  clearly,  that  herein  I 
had  followed  the  lying  fuggeflions  of  fatan  mine 
enemy :    At  this  time  my  old  will  in  the  fallen  na- 
ture gave   up  it's  life,    and  I  cryed,    "    I  aj?i  ?2Gt 
worthy  to  live  or  enjoy  favour^  yet  Oh  Lord!  if  thoit 
'wilt  he  -pleafed  to  look  on  me.  with  an  eye  of  ptty^  do 

C  ivhat 


xc         The   LIFE   and   TRAVELS 

what  thou  'cuilt  with  me,  ?jiagnify  thy  own  name,*  pre-^ 
pare  me  by  thy  judgments  and  power  that  thy  mercy  may 
he  jhewn  in  and  by  me,  whether  thou  cut  the  thread 
of  my  life,  or  jhall  grant  me  more  days,  which  is  only 
in  thy  power  ;^'  now  my  heart  was  made  exceeding- 
ly tender,  I  wept  much,  and  an  evidence  was  given 
me,  that  the  Lord  had  heard  my  cry,  and  in  mercy 
looked  down  on  me  from  his  holy  habitation,  and 
a  willing  heart  and  patience  was  given  me  to  bear 
his  chafiifements  and  the  working  of  his  eternal 
word  of  power,  which  created  ail  things  at  the 
beginning,  and  by  which  poor  fallen  man  only  is 
created  a  new  in  the  heavenly  Image,  and  prepared 
to  praife  him  with  acceptance,  who  lives  for  ever, 
and  ever. 

Whiift  I  lay  in  this  condition,  perhaps  I  was 
thought  by  thofe  w^ho  watched  with  me  to  be  near 
expiring;  but  tho'  I  faid  little  or  nothing,  I  beheve 
I  was  quite  fenfible,  yet  exceedingly  weakened, 
having  for  about  twenty-four  hours  felt  more  in- 
ward and  inexpreflible  anguiih,  than  outward  pain, 
which  was  no  doubt  great ;  I  take  it  to  be  toward 
the  mor-ning  of  the  fifth  day  and  night  of  my  illnefs, 
that  I  felt  the  incomes  and  owning  of  divine  love 
in  a  greater  degree  than  ever ;  for  the  profpe6l  I 
had  of  fo  great  forgivenefs  made  me  love  the  more; 
for  love  is  ever  reciprocal.  I  remember,  that  I  faw 
the  morning  light,  and  thought  all  things  looked 
new  and  fweet ;  I  lay  v/here  the  fun  flione  near,  or 
on  my  bed,  and  have  fometimes  fmce  thought,  that 
being  weak,  the  ftrength  of  the  light  and  too  much 
company  hurt  me ;  I  leave  this  hint  to  excite  nurfes 
and  thofe  who  have  the  care  of  very  weak  indifpo- 
fed  people  to  beware  of  letting  over  much  light 
come  upon  them,  or  many  vifitor?,  except  th(?y  be 
fuch  v/ho  are  fenfible  of  the  weak  by  being  inward 
and  quiet,  v/alting  to  feel  the  fympathy  which 
truth  gives,  the  company  of  fuch  being  truly  re- 
frefhlng.  *  It 


OF  JOHN   CHURCHMAN.         u 

It' pleafed  the  Lord  fo  to  reftore  me,  that  I  re- 
covered 'my  ufual  flrength,  and  was  frequently 
humbled  under  a  fenfe  of  the  tender  dealings  of  a 
merciful  God,  whofe  goodnefs  and  owning  love  I 
felt  to  be  very  near ;  1  then  loved  retirement  and 
inwardly  to  feel  after  the  incomes  of  hfe,  and  was 
often  fearful  left  I  (liould  again  fall  away.  In  this 
time  it  was  manifefted  to  me,  that  if  in  patience  I 
flood  faithful,  I  fliould  be  called  to  the  work  of  the 
miniflry ;  I  loved  to  attend  religious  meetings, 
efpecially  thofe  for  difcipline,  and  it  was  clearly 
ihewn  me,  that  all  who  attend  thofe  meetings  fhould 
inwardly  wait  in  great  awfulnefs,  to  know  the  im- 
mediate preff^nce  of  Chrifl  the  head  of  the  Church, 
to  give  them  an  underflanding  what  their  feveraL 
fervices  are,  and  for  ability  to  anfwer  the  requirings 
of  truth,  for  it  is  by  the  light,  and  fpirit  thereof, 
that  the  Lord's  work  is  done  v^rlth  acceptance,  and 
none  fhould  prefume  to  fpeak,  or  ad:  without  its 
motion,  and  diredlion  ;  for  they  who  a£l  and  fpeak 
without  it,  do  often  darken  counfel,  miflead  the 
wxak,  and  expofe  their  own  folly,  to  the  burthen, 
and  grief  of  fenfible  friends ;  it  was  in  great 
fear,  that  I  attempted  to  fpeak  in  thefe  meetings, 
and  as  I  kept  low  with  an  eye  fmgle  to  the  honour 
of  truth,  I  felt  peace,  and  inward  flrength  to  in-' 
*i^reafe  from  time  to  time,  and  it  is  good  for  all  v/ho 
are  concerned  to  fpeak  to  matters  in  meetings  for 
difcipline,  in  the  firft  place  to  take  heed  that  their 
own  fpirits  do  not  prompt  thereto,  and  to  mind  the 
time  v/hen  to  fpeak  fitly;  for  a -word  in  feafon  from 
a  pure  heart,  is  precious,  and  frequently  prevents 
debates  inftead  of  miniftring  contention,  and  when 
they  have  fpoken  to  bunnefs,  they  fliould  turn  in- 
ward to  feel  whether  the  pure  truth  owns  them, 
and  in  that  refl,  without  an  over  anxious  care  whe- 
ther it  fucceeds  at  that  tim.e,  or  not,  fo  friends  v»'ill 
be  preferved  from  being  lifted  up,    becaufe  their 

fervice 


12         The   LIFE   AND   TRAVELS 

fervice  is  immediately  owned  ;  or  if  it  fhould  be 
rejefted,  or  flighted,  in  this  inward  humble  ftate 
the  labour  is  felt,  and  feen  to  be  the  Lord's. 

It  is  a  great  favour  from  the  Lord,    that  he  is 
pleafed  to  cover  his  children  with  his  pure  fear,  and 
array  their  fouls  with  the  garment  of  humility,  that 
they   may  ftand  in   his   prefence  with   acceptance, 
waiting  to  be  taught  of  his  ways,    in  meeknefs  to 
be  guided  in  judgment;  thefe  only  feel  the  necefTity 
of    minding  that    excellent    exhortation    '^   Be    ye 
*'  (ledfall,    immoveable,   always  abounding  in  the 
<'  work  of  the   Lord."     In  a   degree  of  reverent 
thankfulnefs,  I  blefs  the  name  of  the  Lord  through 
his  beloved  Son,   that  I  then  according  to  my  mea- 
fure  knew  what  I  now  write,  it  was  a  time  of  grow- 
ing with  me,   I  rarely  paiTed  a  day  without  feeling 
the  incomes  of  divine  life,  and  was  favoured  ftrong- 
ly  to  dehre  "  The  fmcere  milk  of  the  holy  word," 
that  in  humility  I  might  grow  thereby  in  fubflance; 
but  afterwards  I  was  left,   and  withdrawn  from,  fo 
that  for  days,  yea  many  days  together,  I  was  with- 
out inward   refrefliment,    and  ready  to  fear  that  I 
had  offended  my  gracious   Redeemer,    and  being 
thoughtful,    and    inwardly    engaged    to  know  the 
caufe,    I  had  to  confider,    that  children  tho*  they 
may  be  thriving,    and  darlings  of  their  natural  pa- 
rents,  are  not  fit  for  much  bufniefs,   until  they  are 
weaned,  and  altho'  they  grov/  finely,  they  are  gra- 
dually taught  to  w^ait  the  appointed  time  between 
meals,  before  they  have  much  care  of  their  father's 
bufmefs,  and  are  further  prepared,   fo  as  to  mifs  a 
fet  meal,  or  be  a  longer  time  without  outward  food, 
before  they   are  fit   for  a  joui*ney,  and  with  thefe 
thoughts,  (leaving  the  reader  to  judge  from  whence 
they  came)  a  hope  began  to  revive  in  me,    that  I 
was  not  forfaken,  which  indeed,  as  I  kept  patient, 
I  was  abundantly  fenfible  of  at  times,   even  thofe 
times  which  are  in  the  Lord's  handj   for  his  chil- 
dren 


OF   JOHN   CHURCHMAN.  13 

dren  experience  that  the  times  of  refrefliment  come 
from  him,  who  when  he  hath  exercifed  and  proved 
them  in  his  infinite  kindnefs  is  pleafed  to  caufe 
them  to  fit  down,  and  condefcends  himfelf  to  ferve 
them.  *•  Blefled  for  ever  be  the  name  of  the  Lord 
who  knows  how  to  prepare  his  foldiers  to  remain 
faithful,  and  to  indure  with  patience  (what  the  na- 
tural man  would  account)  hardncfs ! 

I  had  (Irong  defires  that  elderly  friends  fliould  be 
good  examples  to  the  youth,  not  only  in  word,  and 
converfation,    but   in   meetings  for  the  worlhip  of 
God,   and  it  grieved  me  exceedingly  to  fee  any  of 
them  overcpme  with  fleep,  and  my  concern  for  one 
friend  on  that  account,    was  fo  great,    that  I  knew 
not  what  was  bed  to  do,    and  reafoned  after  this 
manner,  Lord!  thou  knoweft  that  I  am  young,  and 
he  an  elderly  man,   he  will  not  take  it  well,  that  I 
'Ihould  fpeak  to  him,    and  perhaps  I  may  yet  fall ; 
and  if  fo  the  more  I  take  upon  me,  the  greater  my 
fall  will  be;  befides,  tho'  I  have  fpoken  in  meetings 
for  difcipline,    when  truth  hath  been  ftrong  upon 
me,   yet  out  of  meetings,   I  am  not  fit  to  reprove, 
or  fpeak  to  particulars  :   For  I  was  cautious  indeed 
in  thofe  days,   of  talking  about  religion,   or  good 
things,  from  a  fear  of  getting  a  habit  .thereof,   and 
fo  not  know  the  true  motion  ;  which  I  thought  I  had 
obferved  to  be  the  failing  of  fome.     In  this  ftreight 
it  came  into  my  mind  to  go  to  the  perfon  in  the 
night,  as  the  moft  private  time,  and  manner;  for  if 
I  took  him  afide  before,  or  after  a  meeting,  others 
might  wonder  for  what,    and  I  might  betray  my 
weaknefs,    and  reproach  the  good  caufe,    and  do 
no  good,    and   if   the   friend   Ihould  be  difpleafed 
with  me,    he  might  publicly  (hew,  what  otherwife 
he  would  conceal  after  a  private  deliberation;    fo 
in  the  evening  I  went,    dehring  the  Lord  to  go 
with  me,    and  guide  me,  if  it  was  a  motion  from 
him  5  when  I  came  to  the  houfe  it  was  dark,  I  cal- 
led. 


'14    '     The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

led,  and  the  friend  came  out  to  fee  who  was 
there,  and  invited  me  in,  I  told  him  I  was  in 
hafte  to  go  home;  but  wanted  to  fpeak  with  him 
if  he  pleafed,  and  fo  pafled  quietly  toward  home, 
to  draw  him  from  the  door,  and  then  told  him  my 
concern  lor  him  in  a  clofe,  honeil,  plain  manner, 
and  without  flaying  to  rcafon  much,  left  him  in  a 
tender  loving  difpofition,  as  I  believe;  1  returned 
home  with  great  inward  peace;  when  thou  doeft, 
or  giveft  aliiis,  let  not  thy  left  hand  know  what  thy 
right  doth,  was  an  excellent  precept;  that  left  hand 
of  felf  Ihould  not  aft  in  fuch  things,  no  matter 
how  privately  they  are  done,  they  often  anfwer  the 
end  better;  neither  is  it  a  fault  to  lay  things  low, 
and  familiar,  the  truth  will  have  its  own  weight, 
and  accompany  what  it  dictates  with  its  own  evi^ 
dence.  My  intention  in  writing  this,  is  to  encou- 
rage the  humbled  careful  traveller  in  the  way  of  his 
duty.  At  fome  times,  it  appeared  to  be  likely  to  do 
molt  good  to  write  my  mind  to  fome,  which  I  did 
with  fuccefs,  as  I  aimed  only  at  a  difcharge  of  du- 
ty, in  the  moil  priva,te  manner,  and  the  good  of 
tliofe  to  whom  I  wrote. 

When  I  had  entered  the  twenty  fifth  year  of  my 
age,  I  accomplifhed  marriage  with  Pvlargaret  Brown 
a  virtuous  young  woman,  whom  I  had  loved  as  a 
fiflerfor  feveral  vears,  becaufe  I  believed  fne  loved 
religion;  I  think  I  may  fay  fafely,  it  was  in  a  good 
degree  of  the  Lord's  pure  fear,  and  a  fenfe  of  the 
pointings  of  truth,  on  both  fides,  that  vre  took  each 
other  on  the  27//?  day  of  the  eleventh  month  1729, 
(old  flile)  in  an  appointed  meeting  at  E?.(l  Notting- 
ham, and  I  thought  that  our  Heavenly  Eather  owned 
us  with  his  prefence  at  that  time.  The  Covenants 
made  in  marriage  are  exceeding  great,  and  I  think 
they  never  can  be  rightly  kept,  and  truly  performed 
without  Divine  affidance;  and  am  convinced,  if  all 
who  enter  into  a  marriage  (late  would  in  the  Lord's 

fear 


bF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        15 

fear  truly  feek  his  aflillance,  they  would  knov;  their 
own  tempers  kept  down,  and  initead  of  jarring,  and 
difcord,  unity  of  fpirit,  harmony  of  conduft,  and 
a  concern  to  be  examplary  to  their  offspring  would 
increafe,  and  be  maintained. 

The  Summer  following,  in  the  year  1730,  a 
Monthly-meeting  was  fettled  at  Nottingham.,  (being 
before  a  branch  of  New-Garden  monthly-meeting) 
by  the  advice,  and  appointment  of  the  quarterly- 
meeting  ;  this  brought  a  fear,  and  weighty  concern 
upon  me,  and  many  others,  that  the  affairs  of  Truth 
might  be  managed  to  the  honour  thereof;  for  we 
had  but  few  fubitantial  elderly  friends.  In  a  fenfe 
of  our  weaknefs,  it  was  the  breathing  defu'e  of  my 
foul,  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  for  his  own 
fake,  and  the  honour  of  his  great  Name,  to  be  near 
to  his  children,  and  infpire  them  with  v/ifdom.,  and 
judgment  for  his  own  work  ;  andbleffed  forever  be 
his  holy  Name  !  I  believe  he  heard  our  cry,  and  in 
meafure  anfwcred  our  prayers  ;  being  kept  low,  and 
humble,  it  v/as  a  growing  time  to  feveral.  My  af- 
fection to  friends  of  New-Garden  monthly-meeting 
was  fo  great,  that  for  many  months  after  we  parted 
from  them,  I  feldom  miffed  attending  it,  and  there- 
in had  great  fatisfaftion,  and  fom.e  of  their  members 
frequently  attended  ours,  for  our  love  towards  each 
other  was  mutual. 

When  I  was  about  twenty-fix  years  of  age,  fome 
friends  were  appointed  to  perform  a  family  vifit,  and 
being  defirous  of  my  company,  I  joined  v/ith  them., 
and  therein  felt  the  ov/nings  of  Truth  in  fome  de- 
gree ;  but  notwithitanding  I  faw  at  times  the  ftatcjf 
of  families,  and  particulars,  yet  not  in  fo  clear  a 
manner  as  I  thought  neccffary  to  become  my  duty 
to  open  my  mouth  in  the  fervice,  fave  now  and  then, 
in  a  private  way  to  particulars,  of  which  none  knew 
except  thofe  to  whom  I  fpake.  At  one  houfe  the 
friends  on  ihe  fervice  had  a  c^ocd  opportunity,  fcve^ 

ral 


i6        Thi^    life    and    travel^ 

ral  young  folks,  fome  of  whom  were  not  of  th$ 
family  being  prefent;  I  felt  the  Divine  prefence  id 
be  very  near,  and  a  motion  to  conclude  that  fitting 
in  fupplication,  and  thankfgiving  to  the  Lord,  but 
was  not  hafty,  for  fear  of  doing  what  was  not  re- 
quired of  me,  fo  omitted  it,  and  afterwards  alked 
an  experienced  worthy  miniver,  if  he  had  ever 
known  any  friend  appear  in  a  meeting  in  public 
prayer,  before  they  had  ever  appeared  in  public 
teitimony;  which  enquiry  I  made  m  fuch  a  manner 
as  to  give  him  no  miitruit  of  me;  he  anfwered 
''  nay,  I  believe  it  would  be  very  uncommon,"  it 
ftruck  me  pretty  clofeiy,  but  I  kept  my  condition 
very  private;  having  been  exceedingly  fearful, of 
deception,  and  now  began  to  doubt  whether  it  was 
not  a  delufion  for  me,  to  entertain  an  apprehenfion, 
that  I  fliould  be  called  to  the  work  of  the  minillry; 
the  concern  whereof  had  been  at  times  very  heavy 
upon  me;  tho*,  no  motion  that  felt  like  a  gentle 
command  to  break  filence,  until  at  the  houfe  before 
mentioned ;  now  I  let  in  reafoning^  and  fo  departed 
for  a  time  from  my  inward  guide  and  fafeft  counfel- 
lor,  as  all  afluredly  will,  who  place  their  depend- 
ance  on  man  for  inilruclion,  to  perform  duties  re- 
quired of  them;  or  v/ho  forbear,  or  reafon  againfl 
the  humbling,  gentle  motions,  and  leadings  of  the 
fpirit  of  truth:  Much  fafer  it  is  to  attend  fteadily 
thereunto  for  inftrudion,  and  ability  to  perform 
religious  fervices,  which  when  fo  performed  in 
meeknefs,  we  ought  to  be  tender  of  the  fentiments 
of  our  brethren  concerning  them,  and  not  over 
confident  of  our  call,  and  commifTion;  for  our  bre- 
thren have  a  meafure  of  the  fame  fpirit  by  which 
we  are  taught,  and  have  a  fenfe  and  right  thereby 
given  to  judge  of  our  fervice;  a  becoming  difiidence 
of  ourfelves,  and  a  readinefs  to  attend  to  the  advice 
of  fuch,  is  ever  the  badge  of  true  difciplefhip; 
humbling  Divine  Love  teaches  to  elteem  others, 
rather  than  ourfelves. 


o^    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         17 

.  This  was  an  exercifing  time  to  me,  but  I' did  not 
difcover  it  to  any  one  ;  I  Teemed  to  be  forfaken, 
tho*  not  fenfible  of  much  judgment  for  my  omif- 
fion  of  duty,  for  I  could  with  fmcerity  appeal  to 
him  who  knoweth  all  things,  that  it  did  not  proceed 
from  willful  difobedience,  but  a  fear  of  following 
a  v/rong  fpirit,  and  a  fecret  hope  revived  that  my 
gracious  Lord  and  mailer  would  not  quite  caft  me 
off,  and  bleiTed  be  his  holy  name!  he  did  not  leave 
me  very  long  before  I  was  favoured  as  ufual,  but 
had  no  motion  of  the  fame  kind. 

,When  this  vifit  was  over,  I  kept  much  at  home, 
yet  was  careful  to  attend  meetings  on  the  firft  and 
other  days  of  the  week,  and  found  work  enough  to 
watch  againit  a  lukewarm,  indolent  Spirit,  which 
would  come  over  me  when  I  fat  down  to  v/ait  upon 
God;  tho'  I  came  to  the  meeting  in  a  lively  warm  en- 
gagement of  mind,  1  found  the  warfare  againll  luke- 
warmnefs,  ileepinefs,  and  a  roving  mind,  mult  be 
fteadily  maintained,  and  if  none  of  thefe  hinder- 
ances  were  given  way  to,  the  Lord  when  he  hac^ 
proved  his  children,  would  arife  for  their  help,  and 
fcatter  his  and  their  enemies,  which  my  foul  ex- 
perienced many  times  beyond  expreffion:  The  Lord 
alone  is  all-powerful,  and  worthy  to  be  v^^aited  upon 
and  worfliipped  in  humility  and  reverent  adora- 
tion of  foul  for  ever.  Indolence  and  lukewarmnefs 
bring  darknefs,  and  death  over  a  meeting,  and 
when  generally  given  way  to,  occafion  hard  work  for 
even  the  moft  livingly  exercifed  friends  to  get  from 
under  the  burthen  and  v/eight  thereof;  it  was  a 
mercy  that  I  v/as  preferved  feeking,  and  could  not 
be  fatished  without  feeling  the  renewings  of  Divine 
favour,  by  which  I  rather  grew  in  the  root  of  re- 
ligion, tho'  I  thought  very  flow,  but  had  hope  it 
would  be  lading. 

The  love  of  truth,  I  believe  it  was,  and  a  defire 
that  the  difcipline,    and  good  order  of  the  church 

D  might 


18        TiiE    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

might  be  maintained,  made  me  willing  to  take  con- 
fiderable  pains  to  attend  neighbouring  monthly- 
meetings,  which  I  think  was  a  bleliing  to  me  in 
Ibme  good  degree,  being  thereby  often  inilrucled  ; 
and  I  have  often  admired  at  the  llacknefs  of  fome, 
that  fuffer  trifling  things  to  keep  them  from  their 
meetings  for  worlhip  on  week  days,  and  firfl  days ; 
for  tho'  curiofity  brings  fuch  to  monthly  meetings, 
they  are  feldom  of  any  real  fervice  when  they  come, 
not  being  fenfible  of  that  pure  Divine  Love,  in 
which  the  Church  through  its  feyeral  members  edi- 
fieth  itfelf,  and  as  any  one  becomes  truly  fenfible 
thereof,  they  will  delight  to  wait  upon  God,  with 
their  brethren  and  hlters,  who  is  the  fountain  of 
^pure  Love,  and  fo  fills  the  hearts  of  his  humble, 
depending  children  therewith,  that  by  it,  they  are 
known  to  be  his  Difciples.  ^ 

In  the  year  1731,  our  antient  and  w^orthy  friend 
William  Brown,  who  had  been  in  the  (lation  of  an 
elder  many  years,  growing  feeble,  and  incapable  to 
to  attend  the  Quarterly-meeting  of  miniilers  and 
elders.  Friends  of  our  particular  meeting  propofed 
me  to  the  Monthly-meeting  for  that  fervice,  which 
brought  a  clofe  exercife  upon  me,  confidering  my- 
felf  a  youth,  and  the  weight  of  the  fervice;  but 
after  a  folid  confideration,  I  found  mofl  peace  in 
fubmitting  to  the  meeting,  with  fervent  inward  de- 
fires,  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  be  with  me 
therein,  to  preferve  me  from  acling,  or  judging  in 
my  own  will  and  fpirit,  knowing  that  the  fervice 
could  not  be  performed  but  by  wifdom,  underfland- 
ing,  and  ability  from  him;  when  I  attended  thofe 
large  and  weighty  meetings  of  minifters  and  el- 
ders, the  care  and  fear  that  was  upon  me  is  not 
eafily  exprelTed ;  and  may  I  never  forget  the  graci- 
ous condefcenfion  of  kind  providence,  who  was 
pleafed  to  own  mc,  by  the  Ihedding  abroad  of  his 
love    in  my  heart,    that  I  verily  thought,  they  re- 

fembled 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         19 

fembled  the  fchool  of  the  prophets,  the  High  Prieft, 
great  Prophet,  and  Bilhop  of  Souls,  our  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift  being  preddent  among  them. 

An  apprehenfion  that  I  fliould  be  called  to  the 
miniflry,  and  a  concern  on  that  account,  had  been, 
at  times,  for  feveral  years,  weightily  on  my  mind^ 
bMt  I  now  again  thought  I  was  miftaken  in  that  be- 
lief, and  that  it  was  only  a  preparative  to  qualify 
me  for  the  flation  of  an  elder,  and  thereby  my 
exercife  becamx  fomewhat  lighter  for  a  time;  the 
tendernefs  and  love  I  felt  to  thofe  engaged  in  pub- 
lic minillry,  was  very  great,  and  1  believe  I  was 
made  helpful  to  fome  by  giving  private  hints,  when 
and  to  whom  I  thought  there  was  occafion,  in  plain- 
nefs,  fmiplicity  and  fear,  which  often  afforded  in- 
itrudion  to  myfelf  as  well  as  to  them. 

In  1733,  I  accompanied  friends  on  another  vifit 
to  families,  wherein,  at  times,  I  felt  the  opening  of 
truth  in  the  love  of  it,  and  a  few  words  to  fpeak  to 
the  ftates  of  fome,  tho'  in  great  fear,  left  I  fliould 
put  my  hand  to  that  weighty  work  without  the  real 
requiring  of  duty;  and  at  one  family,  on  a  morning 
pretty  early,  being  the  firij  we  went  to  on  that  day, 
I  thought  it  would  be  better  for  the  whole  family, 
in  a  religious  fenfe,  if  the  heads  of  it  were  more 
zealous  in  attending  meetings :  I  faw  the  neceffity 
of  being  examples  to  children  and  fervants,  by  a 
careful  attendance  of  meetings  for  wodhip  on  the 
firft,  and  other  days  of  the  week ;  but  I  was  fo 
weak  and  poor,  that  I  doubted  whether  it  was  my 
duty  to  mention  any  thing  thereof  to  them,  fo  con- 
cluded to  omit  it;  by  which  I  hoped  to  judge  of 
what  I  had  been  about  before,  and  fo  grew  ealy  in 
my  mind,  and  as  we  were  on  the  way  to  the  next 
.houfe,  I  began  to  judge,  that  1  had  no  real  bufmefs 
to  have  faid  any  thing  at  any  houfe;  and  having  for- 
borne in  my  own  will,  I  was  now  left  to  my  own 
judgment  for  a  time*  At  the  next  houfe,  friends  were 

parti- 


20         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

particularly  opened,  and  tenderly  concerned  to  fpcak 
to  feveral  flates,  and  of  feveral  matters  which  I 
thought  inftruciivej  but  I  fat  dry  and  poor,  and 
fo  remained  during  our  paiTage  to  the  next  houfe; 
where  I  fared  no  better,  but  worfe;  my  feeling  and 
judgment  being  quite  gone,  as  to  the  fervice  in 
which  we  were  engaged;  and  tho'  I  did  not  fay 
any  tiling  to.  the  other  friends  how  it  fared  with  me, 
yet  they  were  affecled  therewith  as  I  apprehended; 
I  was  in  great  darknefs  and  diftrefs,  and  fometimes 
thought  of  leaving  the  company  privately,  and  go 
home,  but  again  concluded,  that  would  not  only 
be  a  difappointment  to  my  friends,  but  difhonoura- 
ble  to  truth,  v/hich  made  me  deterinine  to  go  for- 
ward, and  endure  my  own  pain,  as  much  undif- 
covered  as  pollible;  ^  my  companions,  as  I  before 
obferved,  v/ere  affecled,  and  all  fave  one  feemed 
clofed  up  from  doing  the  fervice,  and  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  fame  day  at  the  lad  houfe,  all  of  them 
were  ill ent.  There  was  a  fchool-houfe  near,  the 
mailer  being  a  friend,  and  the  children  moflly  be- 
longing to  friends,  whom  fome  of  our  company 
appeared  willing  to  vifit,  but  others  being  doubtful, 
we  omitted  it,  which  now  fome  thought  was  not 
rie^ht,  and  therefore  this  cloud  of  darknefs  and 
diftrefs  came  upon  us,  and  were  willing  to  meet  at 
the  fchool-houfe  next  morning,  to  try  if  we  could 
recover  our  former  ftrength  in  the  ownings  of  truth, 
which  being  agreed  to,  each  took  our  way  home, 
it  being  now  night,  and  I  alone,  I  rode  How,  under 
a  deep  exercife  of  mind,  and  humble  inquiry  into  the 
caufe  of  my  own  diftrefs,  and  after  fome  time,  be- 
ing favored  with  great  calmnefs  and  quietude  of 
mind,  I  was  inwardly  inftru^led  after  this  manner, 
"Thou  faivejl  lubat  was  ivanting  in  a  family  this  morri' 
iiw^  and  ivoidd  not  exhort  to  more  diligence ^  or  amend- 
vicnt  in  that  refpecl^  and  therefore  if  they  continue  to 
do  iaro?7g^    it  floall  be  required  of  thee-,  on  which  I 

became 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         21 

•became  broken  in  fpirit,  and  cried  in  fecret,  may 
I  not  perform  it  yet,  and  be  reftored  to  thy  favour? 
Oh  Lord!  I  am  now  willing  to  do  whatfoever  thou 
requires  of  me,  if  thou  wilt  be  pleafed  to  be  with 
me;  and  blelTed  be  his  name,  in  mercy  he  heard 
my  fupplication,  and  I  was  fully  perfwaded  that  I 
mufl  go  to  the  houfe  agam ;  which  I  concluded  to 
do  next  morning,  and  went  home  with  a  degree  of 
comfort,  and  being  weary  in  body  and  mind,  flept 
fweetly,  and  awoke  in  the  morning  quiet  and  eafy 
hi  fpirit,  and  now  began  to  conclude,  that  I  might 
meet  my  company,  and  be  excufed;  but  my  cove- 
nant of  going  was  brought  to  my  remembrance, 
and  I  was  given  to  believe,  that  peace  was  reftored 
on  condition  of  my  performance;  therefore  I  went 
to  the  houfe,  tho'  feveral  miles  diftant,  before  fun- 
rife,  the  man  of  the  houfe  was  up,  he  invited  me 
in,  and  I  followed  him,  and  fitting  down  by  the  fire 
(being  cool  weather,)  with  my  mind  retired,  I  felt 
that  I  mud  not  fpeak  before  the  reft  of  the  family, 
but  rather  in  private,  yet  was  fearful  of  calling  him 
out,  being  unwilling  to  difcover  anything  to  them; 
in  the  mean  time,  he  went  out,  and  walked  the 
way  I  was  to  go,  I  followed,  and  told  him  how  I 
felt  when  we  were  at  his  houfe  the  morning  before, 
and  could  not  be  eafy  without  exhorting  him  to  be 
more  careful  in  feveral  refpeds,  and  a  better  exam- 
ple to  his  family  in  his  attendance  of  meetings;  he 
fecmed  afFeded,  and  faid,  he  hoped  he  fliould  mind 
my  advice;  ^I  then  left  him,  and  met  my  companions 
at  the  fchool  houfe,  and  enjoyed  great  peace.  I 
leave  this  remark,  to  excite  all  to  dwell  in  meeknefs 
and  fear,  and  to  bevv^are  of  the  will  of  the  creature, 
and  the  reafonings  of  ilefli  and  blood,  which  lead 
into  doubting  and  difobedience;  they  who  are 
faithful  in  fmall  things,  (hall  truly  know  an  increafe 
in  that  wifdom  and  knowledge  which  is  from 
above. 

Before 


^a         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Before  we  had  gone  through  this  vifit,  I  attended 
the  quarterly  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders  at 
Concord,  and  as  I  lat  therein,  the  unwearied  ad- 
verfary  renewed  a  former  charge  againft  me,  by 
fuggelting  to  my  mind,  that  I  might  know  I  had 
been  wrong  and  under  a  delufion,  in  entertaining 
a  behef  I  fhould  be  called  to  the  work  of  the  mi- 
iiiftry;  for  that  all  who  had  ever  been  rightly  en- 
gaged therein,  it  was  in  a  crofs  greatly  to  the  will 
of  the  creature,  which  was  not  my  cafe,  for  I  was 
wiUing;  this  I  felt  to  be  true,  and  was  therefore 
now  exceedingly  diitreffed,  not  confidering  that  I 
•was  made  willing  by  the  weight  of  the  excercife, 
which  had  been  feveral  years  at  times  very  heavy 
upon  me,  until  it  feemed  as  a  fire  in  my  bones,  and 
as  tho'  /  was  dumb  ivith  ftlence^  I  held  my  peace  even 
from  good^  and  my  forrow  was  Jiirred^  my  heart  was 
hot  within  me^  while  I  was  mufing  the  fire  burned^ 
Pfal.  xxxix.'  2,  3.  While  under  this  conflid,  a 
friend  flood  up  with  thefe  words,  Alfo  I  heard  the 
voice  of  the  hord^  faying^  whom  fh all  I  fend ^  and  who 
will  go  for  us  f  %hen  faid  /,  here  am  /,  fend  me^ 
Ifa.  vi.  8.  Shewing,  that  "  to  them  whofe  will  was 
rightly  fubjecied  to  the  Lord,  it  became  their 
meat  and  drink,  to  do  the  will  of  him,  who  had 
fubjeded  them  by  his  divine  power,  and  infiu^ 
"  enced  their  hearts  with  his  love  to  mankind;"  by 
which  I  was  relieved,  and  my  fpirit  humbled  and 
made  thankful.  Next  morning  being  the  firfl  day 
of  the  week,  I  went  to  Kennet  meeting,  and  toward 
the  clofe  thereof,  fomething  appeared  to  my  mind  to 
offer,  but  Vv'as  fearful,  that  the  motion  for  fpeaking 
was  not  enough  powerful,  and  had  like  to  have  for^ 
borne,  but  remembring  what  I  had  futfered  by  ne-r 
glecfing  a  weak  motion  in  a  family  vifit,  as  already  re- 
lated, 1  flood  up,  and  fpake  a  few  fentences  in  great 
fear  and  brokennefs  of  fpirir,  and  had  folid  fatisfacti- 
pn.    I  attended  the  Quarterly-meeting  of  bufmefs  at 

Concord 


<c 


<£ 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        23: 

Concord  on  fecond  day ;  on  my  return  from  whence 
home,  I  let  in  the  old  reafoner,  who  fuggeftcd  to 
me,  that  if  I  was  called  to  the  public  miniftry,  I 
had  not  waited  for  a  fufficient  commillion  to  fpeak ; 
for  fome  had  been  raifed  up  with  great  power,  and 
authority  they  could  not  withftand,  but  that  I  might 
have  been  flill  and  quiet,  the  motion  was  fo  gentle 
and  low,  and  that  I  mud  not  think  to  fpeak  in  pub- 
lic teftimony  in  great  meetings  with  fo  fmall  a  mo- 
tion, and  in  fo  doing,  I  had  committed  a  {m  that 
would  not  be  readily  forgiven,  perhaps  a  fm  againfl 
the  Holy  Ghofl;  my  exercife  was  great,  but  as  I 
endeavoured  to  be  quiet  in  my  mind,  feekino-  ta 
know  the  Truth  of  my  prefent  condition,  I  was 
fecretly  drav;n  to  follow  and  attend  to  fomething, 
that  fpoke  inwardly  after  this  manner  "  if  thou 
waft  to  take  a  lad,  an  entire  firaiiger  to  thy  lan- 
guage and  bufmefs,  however  likely  he  appeared  for 
fervice,  thou  muft  fpeak  loiid  and  diftindly  to  him 
and  perhaps  with  an  accent  or  tone,  that  mi^ht  fhew 
thee  to  be  in  earneft,  to  engage  his  attention,  and 
point  out  the  bufmefs;  but  thou  wouldft  exped  it 
ihould  be  otherwife  with  a  child  brought  up  in  thine 
houfe,  who  knew  thy  language,  and  with  whom 
thou  hadft  been  familiar ;  thou  would  exped  him 
to  wait  by  thee,  and  v/atch  thy  motions,  fo  as  to  be 
inftruded  by  thine  eye  looking  upon  him,  or  point- 
ing thy  finger,  and  wouldft  rebuke,  or  corred:  fuch 
an  one,  if  he  did  not  obey  thy  will  on  fuch  a  fmall 
intelligent  information."  I  was  inftantly  relieved 
thereby,  and  leave  my  reader  to  judge  from  whence 
this  intimation  came;  believing  it  would  be  no  crime 
in  me,  to  judge  it  to  be  from  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
that  was  to  lead  and  guide  into  all  Truth. 

When  this  meeting  was  over,  being  in  the  ninth 
month  1733,  ^^^  proceeded  to  finifli  our  family  vifit, 
the  part  which  remained  was  on  the  weft  fide  of 
Sufquehanna,  at  Bufti  river,  and  a  few  families  be- 


gun 


24        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

gun  to  fettle  near  Deer  creek;  we  were  remarkably 
favoured  with  the  prefencc  of  our  great  and  good 
Mailer.,  w^ho  opened  the  liates  of  famiUes  to  us, 
and  gave  abihty  to  fpeak  thereto;  may  his  holy 
name  be  praifed:  The  vifit  being  fmifiied,  we  re- 
turned home,  and  in  a  fnort  time  after;  as  I  fat  in 
a  week  day  meeting,  1  had  a  few  words  frefli  before 
me,  with  a  gentle  motion  to  deliver  them,  which  I 
feared  to  omit,  flill  remembring  what  followed  a 
former  neglecl,  fo  I  expreffed  what  was  on  my 
mind,  and  therein  had  peace,  and  afterwards  was  fi- 
lent  for  feveral  weeks,  in  which  time  I  let  in  a  fear, 
I  was  forfaken  by  my  dear  Lord  and  Mafter,  whom 
I  loved  above  all  things,  for  1  had  no  openings  in 
heavenly  things,  as  1  thought,  but  was  left  poOr 
and  needy,  yet  I  loved  friends,  and  remembring  a 
faying  of  a  minifter  formerly ;  We  know  that  we  have 
faffed  from  death  unto  Ujc^  bccaufe  we  love  the  Bre- 
thren^ I  John  iii.  14.  I  hoped,  that  I  v/as  not  quite 
forgotten;  fome  remarkable  fentences  had  fixed  in 
my  mind  fometime  before,  w^hich  I  now  began  to 
underftand  more  fenfibly,  "  miniftry  fhould  be  of 
neceffity,  and  not  of  choice,  and  there  is  no  living 
by  filence,  or  by  preaching  merely;"  for  fomething 
in  me  was  ready  to  wifh  to  be  employed,  that  I  might 
have  bread,  for  when  I  Found  a  motion  to  fpeak,  I 
had  the  owning  love  of  the  heavenly  Father;  which 
is  and  ever  will  be  bread  to  his  children;  the  crea- 
turely  will,  would  choofe  and  would  be  bufy  with 
queftioning,  is  it  not,  or  may  it  not  be  fo  and  fo; 
this  is  that  w^omanifh  part,  which  is  not  permitted 
to  fpeak  in  the  church,  it  runs  fird  into  tranfgrellion, 
for  want  of  learning  of  the  hufband  at  hom.e,  or  be- 
ing in  fubjeftion  to  him,  which  if  Eve  had  literally 
done,  in  (lead  of  reafoning  with  the  ferpent  that 
tempted,  die  might  have  been  preferved  from  being 
a  tempter.  Our  iirength,  prefer vation,  health,  and 
peace  (land  in  our  entire  fubjection  to  the  will  of  the 

Lord, 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         25 

Lord,  whether  in  filence  or  fpeaking,  fuffering,  or 
reigning,  flill  dwelling  with  the  feed  (Chriil)  in 
our  own  hearts;  humbly  v/aiting  for,  and  feeling 
after,  his  power  to  arife,  who  is  the  Refurre£lion 
and  the  Lite,  and  when  he  is  pleafed  to  appear,  his 
children  partake  in  meafure  of  his  glory! 

I  continued  in  the  (tation  of  an  Elder,  and  fome^ 
times  delivered  a  few  fentences  in  public  Teftimony, 
v/hich  occafioned  me  to  apprehend  I  Hiould  not  be 
in  my  proper  place,  except  I  requeiled  to  be  releafed 
from  my  elderihip ;  after  a  time  of  weighty  conli- 
deration,  I  modedly  requeifed,  that  friends  would 
confider  my  cafe,  for  inftead  of  taking  care  of  the 
miniftry  of  others,  I  Hood  in  need  of  the  care  of 
others,  and  that  it  would  be  relieving  to  my  mind, 
if  they  would  nominate  an  elder  in  my  room,  which 
was  taken  into  confideration  for  a  time;  friends 
waiting  I  fuppofe  to  fee  what  proof  I  lliould  make  of 
my  miniftry.  I  attended  the  winter  quarterly  meet- 
ing of  miniders  and  elders,  and  had  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  the  miniftry  at  our  meeting,  the  elders 
being  called  to  anfwer  one  after  another  in  order, 
according,  to  the  fettlement  of  the  meetings  they 
belonged  to,  a  fear  [truck  me  left  a  form  of  words 
was  too  much  in  general  obferved,  particularly,. 
*'  that  the  miniftry  Vv^as  well  received."  When 
my  turn  came,  I  could  not  be  eafy  without  varying 
that  part,  and  inftead  of  faying,  the  miniftry  of  the 
minifters  is  well  received,  I  faid,  that  I  believed  the 
miniftry  of  the  public  friends  was  generally  approved 
of,  and  added,  that  I  did  wifti,  that  the  miniftry 
of  all  the  miniftring  friends  was  better  received 
than  I  conceived  it  was;  whereupon  I  v/as  afked, 
what  I  meant,  and  under  the  Vvxight  I  felt  on  my 
mind,  I  replied,  it  \Mas  not  from  a  thought  of  bear- 
ing- hard  on  the  fervice  of  the  public  friends;  but 
from  the  difference  between  approving  thereof,  be- 
caufe  they  believed  it  to  be  right,  and  attending  no 

E  further, 


^6         Tut    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

further,  which  would  not  do  the  work,  but  to  put 
in  praclice  what  they  heard  recommended,  was  on- 
ly well  receiving  of  it,  and  if  that  w^as  really  the 
cafe,  our  fociety  would  appear  more  beautiful  than 
at  prefent ;  thus  the  matter  ciofed,  and  1  had  peace 
in  the  remark.  I  think  tills  was  the  lad  meeting  I 
attended  as  an  elder;  before  the  next  quarterly 
meeting- in  the  fecond  month  1734,  another  was 
recommended  in  my  place. 

About  this  time  as  I  fat  in  one  of  our  own  meet- 
ings, I  felt  a  liow  of  aifection  to  the  people,  for  many 
not  of  our  fociety  came  there,  perhaps  out  of  curi- 
ofity,  feveral  young  minillers  having  come  forth  in 
public  teflimony,  in  which  extraordinary  flow  of  af- 
fe6lion,    I  had  a  very  bright  opening  as  I  thought, 
and  expelled  to  Hand  up  with  it  very  fcon,  '»)ut  be- 
ing willing  to^veigh  it  carefully  was  not  very  forward, 
viewing  its  decreafmg  brightnefs,   until  fomething 
faid  as  it  were  within   me,  "  is  the  woe  in  it,"  is 
iieceiTity  laid  upon  thee,   i  Cor.  ix.    16.  And  there- 
fore woe  if   thou  preach  not  the  gofpel.     This  put 
me  to  a  Hand,    and  made  me  feel  after  the  living 
prefence  of  him,  in  whofe  name  and  power  I  defired 
to  fpeak,  if  I  appeared  in  tefi:imony ;  and  not  feeling 
the  pure  life  and  power  of  Truth,  fo  as  to  ftand  up, 
the   brightnefs    of   the  Vifion  faded,    and  lelt  riie 
quiet,  humble,  and  thankful  for  this  prefervation; 
the  drawing  ftrength  and  lufting  defire  of  the  un- 
liable,   who  centre  not  to  the  pure  gift  in  them- 
felves,    are  as  the  many  waters,  or  fea  of  My  fiery 
Babylon,    for  her  merchants  to  fail   their  fliips   and 
trade  upon.     This  was  a  time  of  inward  growing  to 
me,    the  welfare  of   the  churches  was  ftrongly  de- 
fired,   and  the  extendings  of  the  love  of  the  Hea- 
venly Father,  I  felt  at  times  to  reach  over  fea  and 
land,    to  my  great  admiration;    but   however  my 
heart  was  enlarged,  I  believed  it  was  my  duty  to  re- 
tire inward,  and  wait  with  patience  until  my  friends 

fliould 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        i>j 

fhould  fo  approve  of  my  miniflry,  as  to  recommend 
me  as  a  minifter,  before  I  made  any  requeft  to  go- 
much  abroad,  though  1  went  to  fome  neighbouring 
meetings,  fuch  as  I  could  go  to  in  a  morning,  and 
return  home  at  night,  but  not  without  acquainting 
fome  elderly  friends  therewith,  and  defiring  their 
company,  which  I  generally  had. 

In  the  winter  1735-6,  William  Brown  my  brother 
in  law,  my  filler  Dinah  Brown  (then  a  widow,) 
and  myfelf,  were  all  recommended  to  the  meeting 
of  Minifters  and  Elders,  as  minifters,  and  at  this 
meeting  I  let  a  certain  friend  knov/,  that  for  fome- 
tirae  I  had  a  defire  to  vifit  friends  at  Newtown,  Mid- 
dletown,  Gollien,  Cain,  and  Bradford  meetings,  hop- 
ing that  he  would  go  with  me,  for  without  fome 
fuitable  companion  I  was  not  eafy  to  go,  becaufe  it 
would  be  neceffary,  that  notice  ihould  be  given  to 
anfwer  the  end  of  a  vifit,  which  he  alfo  thought 
neceffary,  and  let  me  know  that  he  would  take  the 
needful  care,  which  I  fuppofed  was  previoufly  to 
inform  fome  friends  of  each  meeting,  in  order  that 
they  might  acquaint  their  neighbours  if  they  had 
freedom,  and  I  was  eafy,  not  knowing  but  he  would 
bear  me  company:  On  third  day  I  was  at  the  gene- 
ral meeting  of  worfPiip  held  at  Providence,  and  at 
the  breaking  up  thereof,  the  friend  whom  I  had 
fpoken  to,  itood  up  and  gave  public  notice,  that  I 
intended  to  ftt  with  friends  at  the  meetings  aforefaid, 
and  named  the  days  in  order,  and  requefted  friends 
would  take  proper  care  to  give  notice;  at  which  I 
was  exceedingly  furprized,  and  repented  that  I  had 
fpoken  thereof;  I  would  have  gladly  ran  home  but 
for  fear  of  bringing  a  reproach,  and  to  me  it  feemed 
likely  it  would  be  the  cafe  if  I  purfued  the  trad: 
laid  out  for  me;  in  this  (trait  I  was  humbled  even  to 
weeping ;  a  fympathizing  experienced  friend"  came 
to  me,  and  fpake  affeclionately,  bidding  me  not  to 
be  call  down^  for  it  was  heard  with  gladnefs,  that 

it 


^8         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

it  was  in  my  heart  to  vifit  thofe  meetings,  and  that 
if  I  lived,  and  did  well,  I  mud  meet  with  greater 
trijils.     I  fuppofe  friends  of  thofe  meetings  knew 
tnore  of  me  than  I  expeded,  for  I  had  carefully  at- 
tended meetings  ol  difcipiine  feveral  years,  and  had 
been  fometimes  adive  therein;  the  meetings  were 
generally  pretty  full,  and  I  believe  truth  owned  my 
lervice,  which  was  to  me  great  caufe  of  thankful- 
nefs.     In  this  little  journey  friends  were  very  kind 
to  me,  and  I  was  afraid  too  free  in  manifeHing  of  it ; 
indeed  there  are  many  indulgent  nurfes,  many  for- 
ward inllruftovs,  but  too  few  fathers  in  the  church, 
who  having  been  acquainted  with  him  the  great  Al- 
pha in  their  tender  beginning,  and  by  dwelling  in  his 
holy  counfel  and  lea'*,  have  the  care  of  the  members 
at  heart,    and  in  the  "Wifdom  of  Truth  know  how 
to  inftrudf,  advife,  and  condu6:  themfelves  towards 
fuch  who  are  called  to  the  Lord's  work  according  to 
their  feveral  difpofitions,  growths,  and  gifts  receiv- 
ed, in  order  that  they  might  be  preferved  growing 
in  and  by  him,  the  Alpha,  experiencing  him,  their 
beginning,  to  be  w^ith  them,  and  to  be  the  Omega  in 
their 'conclufion  the   Firil  and  the  Lait,    all  in  all, 
the  Lord  God  over  all,  Blelfed  in  himfelf  and  the 
Son  of  his  love,  our  holy  high  Pried:  and  Inftruc- 
tor.    For  want  of  proper  caution  herein,  fome  have 
valued    themfelves    above    what    they    ought,    and 
thereby  reduced  their  credit  with  others. 

In  the  fummer  following  I  felt  a  fecret  gentle 
draft  to  vifit  the  meetings  in  the  back  parts  of  Chef- 
ter,  Philadelphia  and  Bucks  Counties,  which  con- 
tinuing with  me,  and  my  brother  in  law  William 
Brovv'n'  having  the  like  concern,  we  acquainted 
friends  at  our  monthly  meeting,  late  in  the  fall  of 
the  year,  and  had  their  concurrence,  and  I  believe 
their  good  wifhes  for  us;  fo  in  the  tenth  month 
1736,  we  proceeded,  and  went  to  Gofhcn,  Radnor, 
r^.nd  to  a  general  meeting  at  Ilaverford,  and  to  an 

evening 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         29 

evening  meeting  at  a  fchool-hcvufe  in  upper  Merion, 
and  over   Sciiuylkill  to  Plymouth;    we  had  good 
fatisfadion    molily.     I  could  fee  that  my  brother 
grew  in  his  gift,    and  after  one  of  the  meetings  a 
wellmeaning  friend  told  me,  that  I  was  a  feer,  and 
knew  the  Irates  of  people  better  than  they  could 
inform  mc  at  which  I  felt  fome  fecret  pleafure,   yet 
not  without  (as  1  thought)  a  humble  fear,  knowing 
that  flattery  or  unguarded  commendation,  if  hflned 
to,    is  a  kind  of  poifon  to  young  minifters,   and 
fometimes    m.akes   them   fwell  beyond  the  proper 
fize.     At  Plymouth,    I  had  an  open  meeting,  and 
it  feemed  to  me,    as  if   what  I  had  to  fay  was  re- 
ceived freely  by  the  people,  and  after  meeting  I  was 
filled  with  jpy  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  I  w^ept,  and 
dropped  behind  my  company,  (to  keep  undifcover- 
ed,)  in  our  going  to  a  friends  houfe,  inwardly  pray- 
ed that  it  might  be  taken  from  me,  for  I  feared, 
that  by  the  natural  part  in  me,  it  was  taken  to  ex- 
cefs.     Next   day   we   had   a  fmall  meeting  in  Job 
Pugh's  houfe,    where  I  thought  I  faw  the  (tates  of 
particulars  very  clear,    and  had  fomething  to  fay, 
which  perhaps  I  delivered  in  too  flrong  terms,  con- 
fidering  my  age  and  experience  in  the  miniftry;  a 
becoming  fear,    and  moderty  in  expreflion  is  very 
ornamental  and  fafe  for  miniilcrs,  both  young  and 
old;  after  meeting,  we  went  home  Vv^ith  Evan  Evans 
to  North  Wales,   w4io  converfed  but  little  with  us, 
but  was   grave  and  folid,  and  therein  a  good   ex- 
ample  to  me;   for  fometimes  young  minillers  hurt 
themfelves  by  too  much  talking,    and   draw  from 
others  of  like  freedom,    things  not  convenient  for. 
them  to  hear.     The  next  day  we  were  at  North- 
whales   meeting,    w'  ich  was  large,    being  firfl  day, 
my  brother  W.  B.  appeared  in  the  forepart  and  had 
good  fervice,    afterwards  I  flood  up  with  a  large 
and  good  opening  as  I  thought,    but  found  hard 
lyork  and  foon  fat  dovvn  again  without  ijiuch  relief, 

which 


3C        The    LIFE   AND    TRAVELS 

which  being  a  little  unufual,  I  ventured  to  ftand 
up  again,  and  with  a  -zeal  that  exceeded  my 
chiidilh  knowledge,  laid  on  fome  flrokes  with  the 
ftrength  of  the  mans  part  more  than  with  the  hum- 
bling power  of  Truth;  for  if  we  deliver  hard  things 
to  the  people,  we  fhould  ever  remember,  that  we 
^,e  flefh  and  blood,  and  by  nature  fubjecl  to  the 
fame  frailties;  this  would  lead  us  clofely  to  attend 
to  the  power,  and  to  minifler  only  in  the  ability  of 
Truth,,  in  the  meeknefs,  gentlenefs  and  wifdom 
which  it  infpires;  I  foon  fat  dov/n  again,  and  in 
?i  moment  felt  myfelf  left  in  great  darknefs,  and 
friends  broke  up  the  meeting  in  a  minute  or  two  af- 
ter, which  I  foon  thought  was  rather  unkind,  as  it 
feemed  to  fhew  a  public  dillike,  when  a  private  ad- 
monition, which  I  believed  was  my  due,  would  have 
anfwered  the  end  better;  but  when  I  knew  they 
held  an  afternoon  meeting,  I  judged  that  I  had  in- 
fringed on  the  time,  and  the  weight  of  the  trial 
fettled  fhill  deeper  on  my  mind ;  in  the  afternoon 
I  fate  fiient,  and  was  very  much  dejecled,  and  my 
good  friend  Evan  Evans,  an  experienced  minifter 
and  father  in  the  church,  bid  me  be  fheady  and  in- 
ward, looking  to  the  Lord  who  knew  how  to  deal 
with  his  children,  and  gently  correct,  as  well  when 
they  went  too  faft,  as  too  llow;  this  fatherly  ten- 
der hint  fully  opened  my  eyes;  for  before  1  was  in 
fome  doubt  wherein  I  had  miffed ;  I  now  believed 
he  faw  1  was  too  zealous  and  forward,  and  believed 
alfo  that  he  had  the  judgment  of  Truth;  this  was 
enough  for  me;  I  abhorred  myfelf^  and  was  in  great 
fear  that  I  Ihould  not  be  forgiven.  Another  friend 
told  me  that  I  only  felt  an  oppofmg  fpirit  in  fome, 
whofe.  ftates  had  been  remarkably  fpoken  to  by  me, 
and  (leiired  me  hot  to  be  too  much  cad  down,  for 
I  had  the  mind  of  Truth;  this  iuftead  of  relieving, 
rather  added  tp  my  ahliAiVion,  for  I  faw  it  would 
have  a  tendency,  if  heeded,  to  take  me  from  under 

the 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        ji 

the  hand  of  the  Lord,  which  was  heavy  upon  me, 
and  fomething  in  me  faid,  "  Let  God  be  true  and 
every  man  a  lyar,  keep  to  the  witnefs  in  thine  own 
heart,  attend  to  the  Spirit  of  Truth  there,  and 
mind  its  reproof:"  Man  through  natural  affection 
and  fympathy  may  err,  and  adminifter  falfe  in- 
ftruclion,  but  the  other  proceeds  from  the  God  of 
Truth.  I  would  have  given  all  that  I  had  to  have 
been  at  home,  for  I  greatly  feared  that  I  fhould 
bring  a  reproach  on  the  truth,  the  honour  \vhereof 
was  dear  to  me ;  I  hid  my  diftrefs  as  much  as  pof- 
fible,  and  proceeded  to  attend  meetings  with  my 
brother,  whom  I  greatly  preferrred,  and  was  afraid 
to  difcourage  by  my  complaints. 

We  were  at  a  meeting  at  Skippack,  and  at  another 
at  Perkioming  or  New-Providence,  in  each  whereot 
I  had  fo  much  light  and  underuanding  as  to  offer 
a  few  words,  but  the  fervice  lay  chiefly  on  m,y  bro- 
ther; from  thence  we  v/ent  to  Oley,  where  I  had 
a  few  things  to  deliver  in  a  friends  houfe  in  an  even- 
ing fitting  with  his  family,  which  was  large;  the 
friend  in  great  tendernefs  obferved  afterward,  that 
revelation  was  not  ceafed,  for  their  ftates  were  very 
exactly  fpoken  to,  at  which  I  marvelled,  for  I  was 
greatly  reduced,  and  thought  myfelf  one  of  the 
pooreit  and  moft  unqualified  that  ever  travelled  in 
that  great  fervice,  in  which  we  were  now  engaged ; 
this  difpenfation  though  forrowful  to  wade  through, 
was  very  humbling  and  profitable  for  me,  who  per- 
haps but  a  little  before  was  ready  to  think  I  knew 
fomething  about  preaching,  but  now  knew  nothing, 
that  I  might  more  fully  undcrfland  that  he  who 
thinketh  of  himfelf  "  he  knoweth  any  thing,  kno- 
weth  nothing  as  he  ought  to  know,"  to  wit,  that 
all  pure  knowledge  is  fealed  up  in  him  who  is  the 
Fountain  of  Wifdom  and  Knowledge,  to  be  only 
opened  by  himfelf  to  his  dependant  children,  by 
the  revelation  of  his  own  Spirit,  when  and  to  whom 
he  pleafe«. 


52        The    LIF£    and    TRAVELS 

From  hence  we  went  to  Maiden  Creek,  and  to 
Richland  in  Bucks  County,  being  flill  low  in  my 
mind,  yet  favoured  for  a  few  minutes  in  meetings, 
in  which  1  had  a  few  fentences,  and  then  was  clofed 
up  again:  I  was  like  one  who  having  learned  a  few 
things,  or  rules  in  literal  knowledge,  was  again 
turned  back  to  his  beginning. 

From  thence  we  went  to  Plumflead  in  Bucks 
County,  here  I  was  rather  more  enlarged,  and 
to  Buc'cingham,  Wrightstown,  Falls,  Middletown, 
Briftol,  and  over  on  the  ice  to  Burlington  in  New- 
Jerfey,  the  weather  being  exceeding  cold,  and  came 
back  again  on  the  ice  over  Delaware  the  fame  even- 
inor  to  Briftolj  and  thence  proceded  to  Byberry  and 
Horiliam  meetings,  and  by  this  time  I  was  relieved 
from  the  dcpredion  of  fpirit  I  felt  before,  yet  was 
under  a  humble  reverent  fear,  not  forgetting  the 
meeting  at  North  Wales;  I  was  in  fome  degree  again 
admitted  to  behold  the  lifting  up  of  the  Heavenly 
Fathers  countenance,  which  makes  the  folitary  re* 
joice*  From  Horlham  we  went  to  a  meeting  ap- 
pointed at  Wiliiam  Hallowell's,  the  company  of  the 
man  who  undertook  to  fliew  us  the  way  not  being 
agreeable,  we  perfwaded  him  to  return,  and  fo 
were  left  not  knowing  the  way  to  the  houfe,  which 
made  me  very  thoughtful,  left  we  lliould  mifs  our 
way,  and  friends  would  then  be  blamed  for  neglect 
of  duty  towards  us ;  as  I  was  thus  pondering  in  my 
mind,  a  faith  arofe,  that  providence  could  dired, 
and  that  moment  I  beheld  the  track  of  a  man  who 
had  croifed  the  road  we  were  in,  and  felt  a  fudden 
turn  of  mind  to  follow  the  fame,  which  made  me 
quite  eafy ;  it  brought  us  to  a  field,  where  we  found 
the  fence  down  on  both  fides,  and  led  to  the  houfe 
where  friends  were  gathered,  and  we  were  notdif- 
covered  to  be  without  a  guide,  for  which  I  was 
thankful,  believing  it  to  be  the  fecret  direction  of 
kind  providence,  "and  not  barely  chance.     I  relate 

this 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         33 

this  with  a  view  to  excite  fuch  who  may  meet  with 
difficulties,  to  rely  on  him  alone  who  can  flievv  the 
way,  and  give  faith  to  follow,  but  m.an  muil  be  hum^ 
ble  and  quiet  in  mind,  to  imderftand  the  inward 
gentle  fenfe  that  Truth  favours  with;  this  fmall  ga- 
thering was  owtied  in  a  good  degree  with  the  Di- 
vine prefence. 

From  thence  we  pafled  to  Abington  and  Frankfort 
meetings,  and  to  Philadelphia;  and  after  vifiting  of 
thofe  meetings,  we  turned  to  Germantown,  and  fo 
over  Schuylkill  to  Merion  meeting,  where  we  met 
our  worthy  friend  John  Forthergill,  who  had  great 
and  good  ferviee  therein,,  with  whom  my  brother 
W.  B.  returned  to  Philadelphia  to  the  quarterly 
meeting,  v/hich  began  next  day,  and  while  he  was, 
abfent  from  me  I  attended  Springfield  and  Newtovvn 
meetings,  v/hen  he  again  came  to  me,  we  attended 
fome  other  meetings  until  our  quarterly  meeting 
began,  at  which  was  our  friend  John  Cadwalader 
from  Horllsam,  who  had  good  ferviee;  after  which 
I  returned  home  and  was  glad  to  fit  with  friends  in 
our  own  meeting,  wherein  I  did  not  fee  it  was  my 
place  to  fay  much,  but  by  example  to  recommend 
filence. 

Early  this  fpring  (1737,)  the  Lord  was  pleafed 
to  try  me  with  poverty  and  inward  want,  which 
brought  me  into  great  fearchings  of  heart,  and  fe- 
cret  enquiry  into  the  caufe,  but  could  not  under- 
itand  that  I  had  wilfully  difobeyed,  neither  flood 
convicted  in  my  mind  for  doing  amifs,  but  my  po- 
verty and  inward  want  increafed,  with  diftrefs  and 
•doubting  to  that  degree,  that  I  began  to  fear  I  had 
miilaken,  and  took  error  for  truth,  and  in  my  own 
imagination  formed  a  religion,  and  for  the  rebelli- 
on of  my  youth  was  fuifered  to  go  on  until  now; 
and  all  that  ever  I  had  done  was  brought  into  judg- 
ment and  reduced  to  nothing,  and  the  enemy  en- 
deavoured to  ftir  me  up  to  impatience,  and  to  per- 

F  fuade 


34        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

iuade  me,  that  my  tranfgreffions  would  never  be 
forgiven;  many  days  of  forrow  and  nights  of  fore 
diftrcfs  I  pafled  through,  and  began  to  defpair  of 
ever  beholding  the  Light  of  the  Heavenly  counte- 
nance lifted  up  towards  me  again. 

Towards  the  laft  of  the  third  month  I  went  to 
Sadibury,  to  fettle  a  difpute  about  the  bounds  of 
land  and  having  fomething  to  do  near  Samuel  Nutt's 
Iron  works  on  French  creek,  as  I  was  going  thither 
being  alone  and  my  inward  forrow  and  didrefs 
very  great,  I  thought  I  would  now  endeavour  to 
vent  it,  were  it  but  in  mournful  groans,  and  draw- 
ing in  my  breath  in  orde^  to  vent  it  in  a  groan,  my 
inward  anguifh  feemed  to  burn  like  fire,  and  I  was 
inflantly  (laid  from  breaking  forth,  for  I  was  per- 
fuaded  my  paiTion  of  grief  if  given  way  unto,  would 
go  beyond  bounds,  to  the  tearing  of  my  cloaths, 
if  no  further,  my  heart  not  being  tender,  I  could 
not  weep,  which  brought  me  tc  a  more  calm  paufe 
than  1  had  known  for  fome  time,  and  therein  was 
ready  to  fay,  can  the  good  hand  be  Hill  near  to  ftay 
me.  Oh!  that  I  may  have  patience  given,  and  refolu- 
tion  flrengthned  to  continue  feeking,  and  if  at  laft 
I  fhould  perifh,  that  it  may  be  at  his  footftool;  for 
a  fmall  fpace  1  had  fome  hope  of  beholding  again 
him  whom  my  foul  once  loved  above  all  things; 
but  in  a  few  miles  riding  it  began  to  look  pleafant 
to  me,  to  go  into  fome  remote  place  where  I  fliould 
not  be  known.  When  refleding  thus — what!  aban- 
don  mine  acquaintance!  violate  my  marriage  cove- 
nant, and  leave  my  neareit  conncililions!  I  fuddenly 
knew  this  profped  of  pleafure  was  from  the  evil 
one,  and  fomething  in  me  abhorred  it  as  wicked, 
and  as  it  were  clofed  my  eyes  therefrom ;  fo  that 
evening  I  went  to  the  houfe  of  a  former  intimate 
acquaintance  to  lodge,  who  received  me  kindly, 
and  in  the  evening  brought  a  book  containing  fome 
aflronomical  problems,  and  began  to  converfe  very 

freely 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         35 

freely  thereon,  fuppofing  it  would  be  pleafant  to  me 
as  aforetime;  but  I  was  heavy  in  my  fpirit  and  in- 
vardly  thoughtful  about  fomething  of  another  na- 
ture, and  he  foon  perceiving  his  converfation  on 
that  fubjeft  was  difagreeable,  propofed  my  going  to 
bed  as  fittell  for  a  weary  m.an,  judging  that  to  be 
my  prefent  ailment,  I  was  glad  of  the  offer  and 
immediately  accepted  thereof.  I  faw  now  clearly, 
that  when  my  mind  was  turned  from  delighting  in 
that  wherein  our  former  friendfhip  confided,  my 
company  was  rather  unpleafant  to  him,  1  foon  left 
his  houfe  in  the  morning,  difpatched  my  bufinefs, 
and  returned  home  with  as  much  fpeed  as  I  could, 
without  the  lead  inclination  to  go  elfewhere;  I 
believe  my  prayer  was  heard;  for  I  had  patience 
granted  to  me,  I  fay  granted,  becaufe  no  man  can 
endue  himfelf  therewith,  and  I  think  my  diftrefs 
gradually  abated  after  the  time  aforementioned. 

When  one  has  faffed,  and  fufFered  the  want 
of  natural  food  for  a  long  feafon,  men  of  prud- 
ence will  portion  out  fhe  food  they  give  to  fuch 
with  care,  that  flrength  may  be  increafed  and  the 
conflitution  preferved  healthful  and  found.  The 
Lord,  whofe  Love  and  Care  to  his  children  doth 
far  exceed  that  of  any  natural  parent' to  his  oft- 
fpring,  dealt  with  me  in  hi?  tender  mercy,  giving 
at  times  by  the  gentle  touches  of  his  Love,  to  feel 
that  he  had  not  forfaken  me,  which  in  a  few  mi- 
nutes would  be  again  withdrav/n,  but  tho'  of  fliort 
continuance,  was  fufHcient  for  me  to  own  it  was 
worth  all  my  forrowful  longing  for  and  hereby  he 
was  pleafed  to  let  me  experimental iy  know  the  value 
of  Heavenly  Bread  by  the  want  of  it  having  food 
and  raiment  I  was  now  taught  to  be  therewith  con- 
tent; the  renewing  of  heavenly  favour,  and  the 
covering  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  fo  as  to  be  admitted 
to  ftand  before  him  in  humble  reverence  with  graci- 
-pus  acceptance,   was  all  my  foul  craved;  1  neitheic 

wanted 


36        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

wanted  this  man's  gift,  nor  the  other  man's  popu- 
larity and  eloquence,  but  to  be  in  mercy  admitted 
into  the  number  of  his  family,  and  occupying  mine 
own  gift  to  his  honour  alone  that  gave  it.      When 
Peter  was  examined  by  his  Lord  whom  he  had  de- 
nied through  fear,    "  Loveft  thou  me  more  than 
thefe?"  the  third  time  anfwered;  "  Thou  knoweft  all 
things,  thou  knowell  that  I  love  thee:"  Ke  did  not 
anfwer  the  queftion  in  its  full  extent,  viz,  more- than 
thefe  with  reipecl  to  the  reft  of  the   Difciples  who 
had  not  denied  their   Lord  and  Mafter,    as  Peter 
had  done, "  who  was  neverthelefs  looked  upon  with 
forgiving  compafTion,    and  therefore  had  need  to 
love  in  proportion ;    perhaps  his  honeft '  confefTion 
and  appeal  to  his  Mafter's  knowledge  might  fnorten 
his  anfwer;  his  threefold  charge  of  feeding  the  fheep 
and   lambs  of   his  Lord,  was  necelfary  to  gain  his 
diligent  attention  to  the  work  of  him  whom  he  had 
three  times  denied;  he  to  whom  much  is  forgiven, 
loveth  much  if  lie  is  not  ungrateful:  No  marvel  that 
I  met  with  this  trial  of  my  love  and   aiFe(^ion,  who 
fo  often  (not  through  fear,  but  the  defire  of  indulg- 
ing my  creaturely  will,)  had  denied,  or  negleded 
to  follow  my  Lord  and  Mafter  who  had  fo  early 
made  me  acquainted  with   his  will,  and  who  now 
had  paifed  by  mine  olTehces,  and  called  me  to  work 
in  his  vineyard;   now  I  was  made  thankful  for  fa- 
vours :y/hich  before   had  fcarcely   been   owned  as 
luch;    for  to  be  preferved  inwardly  watchful,  and 
quietly  refigned,  to  wait  upon  the  Lord,  though  we 
partake  not  of  immediate  confolation  by  the  renew- 
ing of  hfe,  is  a  great  bleifmg,  for  which  we  ought 
to  be  thankful,  as  we  cannot  ftay  our  own  minds, 
nor-  curb  our  tlipughts;  and  I  did  believe  that  la-, 
bour  wa.s  l^eaUhful,  created  an  appetite  and  fweetned 
the  relifli  of  reft  and  food  in  a  fpiritual  as  well  as  na- 
tural fen  fe,   and  therefore  1  wanted  not  to  eat  the 
bread  of  idlenefs  and  live  on  the  labour  of  others. 
^  ;  After 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        37 

After    this    trial    which    continued   moil   of   the 
fummer,  I  was  much  favoured  with  the  incomes  of 
Divine  Love  and  Life,  and  in  the  winter  following 
vifited  moft  of  the  meetings  in    Chefler   County, 
and  fome  few  in  Philadelphia  County,  the  weather 
was  very  cold  being  about  the  middle  of  the  tenth 
month  when  I  fet  out,  and  in  my  journey  went  to 
vifit  a  worthy  friend  who  v/as  indiipofed,  and  lodged 
^t  his  houfe,  and  as  we  fat  together  in  the  evening, 
he  afked  me  why  I  chofe  the  winter  feafon  to  vifit 
my  friends  in,   for  many  infirm  folks  could  hardly 
attend  meetings,  and  faid  he  was  fometimes  ready 
to  query,    whether  public  friends  do  not  take  that 
time  to  ferve  their  mafter,  becaufe  they  could  do 
but  little  for  themfelves.     I  was  thoughtful  and  low 
in  my  mind  before,  and  had  fome  reafoning  whe- 
ther it  had  not  been  better  that  I  had  flaid  at  home 
than  ventured  out  on  the  fervice  at  that  time  of  the 
year.    Though  I  thought  I  had  an  engagement  fuffi- 
cient  when  I  fet  outj  this  query  of  his  made  me 
inore  thoughtful,  and  added  to  my  reafoning,  bufc 
I  foon  recovered  ftrength,  and  it  came  frefli  in  my 
mind  to  alk  him  whether  friends  could  eat  to  fupply 
and  fuftain  their  bodies  in  the  fummer,  and  partake 
alfo  of  fpiritual  food  for  their  fouls  in  that  feafon, 
fo  as  not  to  labour  in  the  winter  and  care  for  the 
fuflenance  of  their  bodies,  or  aifemble  and  attend 
meetings  to  worihip  and  wait  upon  God  for  fpiritual 
food  for  their  fouls?    he  acknowledged  I  had  by 
this  query  fatisfied  him  to  the  full,  and  faid  he  was 
glad  of  my  vifit,   and  hoped  his  talking  as  he  did 
would  not  difcourage  me,    for  1  believe  he  faw  it 
brought  a  damp  over  me  at  firn,  this  anfwer  I  be- 
lieve was  given  to  me  for  mine  own  help,  and  v/as 
encouragement    to    me    through    this  journey, '  in 
which  I  had  moft  of  the  time  Jofhua  Johnfon  of 
Londongrove    for    a    companion,     who    v/as    very 
agreeable,    and   in  my  return   home  I  felt  great 
U'v<ace<) 


;^,8         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 


v) 


CHAP.      IL 

His  Journey  with  Robert  Jordan  to  the  Wejlern  pari 
of  Maryland  in  the  T^ear  1738.  Jlfo  to  the  ^ar- 
ierly -meeting  at  Shrewjhury  in  New-Jerfey — And 
with  John  Hunt  through  that  Province — His  Vijif 
to  the  Eajiern-Jhore  of  Maryland- — His  Journey  to 
Fairfax  and  Hopeivell  in  Virginia  in  company  with 
a  Committee  of  Friends — And  a  fecond  time  to  the 
Eajlcrn-fhore  of  Maryland  with  John  Cadwalader^ 
and  companion — And  his  Vijit  to  New-England  in 
company  zuith  Samuel  Hopwood  in  1742. 

N  the  Summer  following  I  went  with  Robert  Jor- 
dan to  Wefl-river  yearly-meeting  in  Maryland, 
and  we  vifited  mofl  of  the  meetings  of  friends  in 
that  province,  and  his  company  was  profitably  in- 
ftruftive  to  me  who  was  but  young  in  the  minillryj 
I  think  I  knew  him  well,  he  had  a  good  gift  of  the 
minidry,  and  was  highly  favoured  in  the  living 
openings  of  Truth,  but  was  often  low  in  mind  and 
very  humble  in  fpirit;  one  time  as  we- were  riding 
together,  he  lagged  behind  for  feveral  miles,  I 
afked  him  why  he  rode  fo  flow,  he  made  no  reply, 
w^hereupon  I  llopt  until  he  camxe  up,  his  counte- 
nance was  folid,  and  looked  as  if  he  had  been  weep- 
ing, I  afeed  what  ailed  him,  after  fome  time  he  told 
me,  that  he  had  been  thinking  of  the  great  favours 
which  man  partook  of,  particularly  in  being  placed 
over  the  beails  of  the  field,  and  how  eafily  they 
were  broke,  and  made  fubjecl  to  his  will,  what  a 
fmall  turn  with  the  bridle  would  put  them  to  the 
rigbt  hand  or  the  left,  and  on  a  gentle  motion  would 
amend. Qr  flacken  their  pace,  at  the  will  or  pleafure. 
of  the  rider,  and  that  man,  the  mofl  noble  and  in- 
telligent creature,  fliould  fo  far  neglect  the  duty  of 
a  willing  fubjeclion  to  his  Maker,    who  fo  highly 

has 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         39 

has  favoured  him  with  temporal  bleflings,  and  the 
knowledge  of  heavenly  things.  I  had  been  at  that 
meeting  about  three  years  before,  having  had  feme 
bufmefs  to  do  for  a  friend  of  mine  on  the  Eaflern- 
fhore  of  Chefopeak,  and  crofled  over  the  Bay  to 
the  Weftern-fliore,  and  was  at  the  yearly-meeting, 
and  being  grieved  at  the  condu6l  of  fome  of  the 
elders,  whofe  age,  if  they  had  kept  to  the  Truth 
and  had  been  zealous  for  the  honour  thereof,  would 
have  made  them  better  examples;  1  fpoke  my  mind 
plainly  to  them,  but  not  v*dihout  proper  caution 
(as  I  thought)  both  with  refpecl  to  my  youth  and 
their  age ;  but  fome  feemed  a  little  warmed  thereby, 
and  alked  for  my  certificate,  if  1  had  any,  I  honeit- 
ly  told  them,  the  principal  bufmefs  that  brought  me 
from  home  was  temporal,  which  having  accomo- 
dated, I  thought  1  might  attend  that  meeting  with- 
out offence,  if  I  did  not  mifbtrhave  myfelf.  William 
Richardfon  defired  friends  to  conhder  what  I  had 
faid,  for  he  believed  if  they  did,  they  would  per- 
ceive the  young  man  had  a  certificate  with  him,  that 
might  ani'wer  for  one  of  a  neighbouring  province 
to  attend  fuch  a  meeting. 

It  may  not  be  unfeafonable  to  relate  that  in  the 
year  1736,  one  night  as  I  lay  in  bed,  my  mind  was 
uncommonly  afleded  with  the  incomes  of  Divine 
Love  and  Life,  and  therein  I  had  a  view  of  the 
churches  in  New-Jerfey,  with  a  clear  profped  that 
1  fliould  vifit  them,  and  in  that  profpe6t  and  the 
ftrength  of  aifedion  which  1  then  felt,  I  faid  in  my 
heart  it  is  enough ;  I  will  prepare  for  the  journey  as 
foon  as  I  can  hear  of  a  fuitable  companion,  for  I  do 
not  expecl  that  I  fliall  have  a  clearer  fight  than  I 
now  have,  I  foon  heard  of  a  friend  who  had  a  vifit 
to  New-Jerfey  before  him,  I  fpoke  to  him  about 
my  concern,  he  let  me  know  that  he  knew  of  a 
companion,  and  they  had  agreed  upon  a  time  to 
proceed  j  after  I  had  mentioned  it  to  him  and  fome 

other 


40         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

other  friends  my  concern  feemcd  to  die  away;  but 
I  remembered  the  refoKition  that  I  took  up,  and 
that  I  then  thought  I  would  not  look  to  be  bidden 
again,  and  was  fearful  fomething  had  drawn  my  mind 
from  the  proper  attention  to  that  opening,  which 
was  the  reafon  it  feemed  to  go  off;  but  the  more  I 
ftrove  to  look  after  it,  the  duller  it  grew;  I  then 
forely  repented  that  I  had  fpoken  about  it,  and 
thought  it  ihould  be  a  warning  to  me  in  future;  for 
I  began  to  fee  there  was  a  difference  between  fee- 
ing what  was  to  be  done,  and  being  bidden  to  do 
the  thing  fliewn,  befides  this,  I  had  to  confider 
there  was  a  time  to  bud^  a  time  to  bloffom,  a  time 
for  fruit  to  fet  and  appear,  and  a  time  for  it  to 
ripen. 

And  in  the  forepart  of  the  winter  (1738,)  I 
thought  it  feemed  to  revive,  and  when  I  faw  John 
Hunt  a  friend  from  England,  I  believed  I  fhould  go 
with  him  when  he  went  thro'  New-Jerfey,  and  told 
him  what  I  thought,  at  which  he  rejoiced,  for  we 
were  nearly  united ;  fo  v/e  appointed  a  time  to  meet 
at  Philadelphia,  and  when  we  had  fo  far  concluded, 
being  about  fix  weeks  beforehand,  my  concern, 
as  I  thought,  foon  withered  away,  and  I  began  to 
be  in  great  fear  that  I  had  been  again  too  forward 
therein,  but  after  fome  time  of  humbling  exercife 
on  that  account,  the  Lord,  whom  I  feared,  from  the 
Love  with  which  he  was  pleafed  to  enrich  my  heart, 
gave  me  to  remember,  that  when  I  made  the  ap- 
pointment with  my  friend,  it  was  in  his  fear  and 
great  abafement  of  felf,  and  as  I  had  ieen  clearly 
to  make  the  appointment,  it  was  my  place  to  attend 
in  humble  reliance  on  him  for  ability  to  perform  the 
embaffy ;  for  the  Lord  who  calleth  and  fendeth  forth 
his  own,  will  alfo  provide  all  things  convenient  for 
them. 

When  the  time  came,  I  fet  forward  very  poor 
and  needy,  which  continued  until  we  entered  our 

fervice ; 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        41 

fervice;  we  took  a  few  meetings  before  our  general 
fpring  meeting;  and  after  attending  that,  we  //ent 
to  Woodberry,  Piles-grove,  Salem,  Alloways-creek, 
Cohanfie,  and  fo  to  Cape-may,  and  had  fome  clofe 
work,  but  in  the  main  fatisfaclory  to  ourfelves  at 
ieaft;  after  having  feveral  meetiaigs  at  and  near  th» 
Capes,  we  went  to  Great-Egg- harbour  and  had  a 
meeting  there,  and  another  at  the  houfe  of  our 
friend  Japhet  Leeds,  and  fo  over  the  Marflies  to 
Little-Egg-harbour  river,  and  had  two  meetings  with 
friends,  in  one  of  which  I  flood  up  with  a  large 
opening  as  I  thought,  but  alter  a  (hon  introduction 
it  clofed  up,  and  I  fat  down  again,  which  was  fome 
mortification  to  me  as  a  man,  tho'  very  profitable, 
being  thereby  taught  to  know,  that  he  that  wou^d 
fpeak  as  the  oracle  of  God,  mufl,  under  the  geiitle 
burden  of  the  word,  in  humble  fear  wait  for  wif- 
dom,  utterance,  and  ablility  to  perform  the  fervice 
to  the  edification  of  the  church  and  his  own  inward 
Peace,  and  not  to  look  after  large  and  Ipecious 
openings,  fometirhes  defirable  to  the  creaturely 
part  both  in  ourfelves  and  others,  which  mufl  fuffer 
famine. 

At  one  of  the  meetings  in  thefe  parts,  coming 
very  early,  a  friend  belonging  thereto  invited  us  to 
go  to  his  houfe  not  far  off,  and  he  would  put  up 
our  horfes  to  hay  during  the  time  of  the  meeting, 
faying  that  we  mufl  go  to  his  houfe  to  dine;  but 
I  felt  a  flop  in  my  mind,  and  told  him  that  our 
horfes  could  fland  very  well  there  until  after  meet- 
ing ;  it  fo  fell  out  that  neither  of  us  faid  any  thing 
in  the  meeting,  which  neverthelefs  was  to  us  fatis- 
faclory, for  we  had  a  fenfe  that  the  people  had  been 
fed  with  words,  and  had  a  hunger  thereafter,  more 
than  for  the  inflrudlion  of  the  pure  word  of  Power 
and  Life  nigh  in  the  heart  and  mouth,  that  they  might 
not  only  hear  it  but  be  found  doers  thereof;  si'ter 
•the  meeting  no  one  af]:ed  us  to  dine,    but  went 

G  away 


42        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

away  and  left  us,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  care  o£ 
/our  kind  guide  that  came  from  the  meeting  we  were 
laft  at,  we  fliould  have  been  at  a  lofs  to  have  got 
forward;  I  mention  this  to  ftiew  how  unacceptable 
filence  is  to  fuch  whofe  ears  itch  after  words. 

From  hence  we .  went  thro*  the  defert  to  upper 
Springfield,    where  we  had  a  fatisfadory  meeting, 
then    taking    the  meetings    Northward    to    Stony-  , 
brook  and  Trenton,  we  returned  to   Bordentown, 
and    fo    crofTed    Delaware.      Some   of    the   meet- 
ings were  large  and  very    fatistaclory    under   the 
owning  of  truth,  the  power  whereof  was  in  domi- 
nion, and  the  name  of  the  Lord  praifed,  who  is 
worthy  forever;    and  fome  were  remarkably  clofe 
and  hard,    which  made  me  remember  a  faying  of 
that  experienced  miniller  and  elder  John  Fothergill, 
that,  "  When  he  was  firft  in  this  country,  he  had 
fome  extraordinary  meetings  hereaway,  the  people 
being  induftrious  in  a  natural  as  well  as  fpiritual 
fenfe,  fome  of  whom  were  now  removed,  and  their 
children  poflefied  the  temporal  eftates  of  their  fa- 
thers, and  though  their  outward  habitations  looked 
fpacious  their  meetings  for  worfhip  were  dull  and 
heavy,   by  reafon  of  a  wordly  fpririt,  and  their  in- 
difference about  heavenly  treafure."     One  meeting 
which  we  were  at  was  remarkably  hard;  my  com- 
panion J.  H.  was  exceedingly  exercifed,    under  a 
fenfe  that  the  people  were  too  rich,  full,  and  whole 
in  their  own   eyes,    he  fat   the  meeting   through 
and  fuffered  in  filence,  but  I  had  fomething  to  fay 
very  clofe  and  particular,  and  felt  a  degree  of  the 
ftrength  and  power  of  Truth  to  clear  myfelf  in  an 
innocent  and  loving  manner,  and  remembering  they 
were  brethren,  did  not  preach  myfelf  out  of  charity 
towards  them,  and  fo  had  peace.     We  went  home 
with  an  elderly  friend,  who  in  a  flern  manner  afked 
me  from  whence  I  came,  and  faid  I  was  a  ilranger 
to  him,  I  aufwered  him  with  a  cheerful  boldnefs ; 

he 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        43 

he  afked  me  what  my  calUng  was,  I  told  him  huf- 
bandry,  he  farther  queried  if  I  was  ufed  to  fpUtting 
of  wood,  I  let  him  know  I  had  pra^iied  it  for  ma- 
ny years,  he  again  afked  me,  if  I  knew  the  mean- 
ing of  a  common  faying  of  thofe  who  were  ufed  to 
that  bufmefs,    "  Tis  foft  knocks  mufl  enter  hard 
blocks;"  I  told  him  I  knew  it  well,  but  there  were 
fome  old  wood  that  was  rather  decayed  at  heart, 
and  to  ftrike  with  a  foft  or  gentle  blow  at  a  wedge 
in  fuch  blocks,  would  drive  it  to  the  head  without 
renting  them  and  the  labour  would  be  loft,  when  a 
few  fmart  lively  ftrokes  would  burft  them  afun- 
der;   whereupon  he  laid  his  hand  on  my  Ihoulder, 
faying,    "  Well  my  lad,   I  perceive  thou  art  born 
for  a  warrior,  and  I  commend  thee;"  And  thus  we 
came  oiF  better  than  we  expected,  for  I  thought  he 
pointed  at  my  fervice  that  day ;  he  was  ever  after- 
ward very  loving  to  me,  and  I  was  inwardly  thank- 
ful that  the  Lord  was  near  to  me,  for  which  I  praife 
his  facred  name.     To  be  becomingly  bold   in  the 
caufe  of  Truth,    at  times  is  particularly  neceffary, 
otherwife  the  weight  of  the  teftimony  thereof  would 
be  leflened,  and  a  carping  fpirit  fet  over  it. 

From  Bordentown  we  went  to  Piumftead  in  Bucks- 
county,  and  on  a  firft  day  had  a  pretty  good  meet- 
ing, and  to  a  monthly-meeting  at  Buckingham, 
then  to  Wrightftown,  the  Falls,  and  Middletown, 
which  meetings  were  in  a  good  degree  fatisfadory, 
the  reaches  of  the  Power  of  Truth  being  felt  to  ex- 
tend, for  which  we  were  thankful;  tho'  in  fome 
of  them,  there  is  too  great  a  want  of  faithful  mem- 
bers to  put  the  difciphne  in  practice  againft  thofe 
that  were  diforderly,  and  thereby  brought  a  re- 
proach on  the  Truth;  we  then  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  next  day  to  Chefter,  from  whence  I  went 
home  the  fame  day. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1740,  I  had  fome  draw- 
ings in  my  mind  to  attend  the  quarterly-meeting  at 

Shrewf- 


44         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Shrewfbury,  and  was  at  fcvcral  meetings  on  my 
way  thither,  at  one  of  which  a  friend  appeared; 
•who  I  thought  had  good  fervice  in  the  forepart  of 
his  teflimony,  but  as  truth  did  not  rife  into  domi- 
nion fo  high  as  he  expeded,  perhaps  in  too  much 
zeal  and  creaturely  warmth,  he  laid  on  a  little  too 
fait,  and  continued  until  the  life  rather  abated^ 
and  fonie  tender  minds  hurt;  for  it  often  happens 
that  fuch  to  whom  hard  things  belong,  will  put 
them  off,  and  thofe  who  are  more  tender  and  leaft 
deferv^ing  of  fuch  doctrine,  v/iil  take  it  to  them- 
felves  to  their  own  hurt.  Oh!  how  careful  minif- 
ters  ought  to  be  whillt  they  are  in  their  fervice, 
that  they  may  be  favoured  with  an  inward  feeling 
fenfe  of  the  ftates  to  which  they  miniller,  and  be 
inliuenced  with  Wifdom  from  above  to  divide  the 
word  aright,  in  meeknefs,  gentlenefs,  and  holy 
fear,  then  truth  will  have  its  own  weight,  authori- 
ty and  power.  '  After  the  friend  fat  down,  it  be- 
came the  concern  of  another  in  a  few  words,  as  it 
"were  to  number  the  fiain,  and  fearch  for  the  wound- 
ed, and  fet  clcfe  and  hard  things  where  they  be- 
longed, by  defcribing  their  feveral  difpoiitions  in 
choofmg  and  refufmg  to  take  hard  things.  After- 
wards being  in  company  with  the  friend  above 
hinted,  and  he  being  down  in  his  mind  and  per- 
haps not  fully  knowing  the  caufe,  aflvcd  me  what 
I  thought  of  the  meeting,  to  which  I  was  not  for- 
ward to  anfwer;  he  faid,  tell  me  what  I  have  done 
this  day?  whereupon  I  afked  him  privately  and  in 
a  pleafant  manner,  "what  Gideon  did  to  the  men 
of.Succoth?  Jud>  viii.  i6.  at  which  he  was  greatly 
humbled,  fully  underftanding  what  I  meant,  and 
did  not  in  the  leaft  refent  the  hint;  v/hich  I  thought 
Was  truly  great  in  him,  and  very  becoming  a  mi- 
niftcr;  for  if  we  would  inilruft  others,  we  Ihould 
b€  exemplary  in  takinAinftrudion  ourfelves  when 

necefl'ary.  ■       ^r *.  .^- 

On 


OP   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        45 

On  my  way  falling  in  Gompany  with  Robert  Jor- 
dan, we  had  a  freedom  to  propofe  a  meeting  to  the 
Auabaptills  at  Middktown,  to  which  they  readily 
confented,  and  we  had  a  profitable  opportunity 
with  them  in  their  meeting  houl'e,  and  on  the  fame 
evening  a  meeting  at  the  houfe  of  Hugh  Hartfhorne, 
to  which  feyeral  baptills  came;  this  was  a  time  of 
favour,  and  I  hope  of  fervice,  it  was  concluded  by 
R.  J.  in  folemn  prayer  and  thankfgiving  to  the  Lord, 
who  is  worthy  forever  and  ever.  Juft  as  the  meeting 
broke  up,  I  felt  myfelf  poor  and  inwardly  weak, 
to  as  great  a  degree  as  ever  I  had  done,  and 
looking  towards  my  faid  friend  I  faw  he  was  in  the 
fame  condition,  for  it  feem*d  as  if  we  had  hardly 
ftrength  to  (land;  but  a  query  of  our  dear  Lord's 
came  fuddenly  into  my  mind  and  miniflered  relief 
njiz.  Who  hath  touched  me?  Whereupon  leaning 
toward  my  companion,  I  repeated  it  to  him,  being 
my  belief  that  it  was  as  much  for  his  help  as  my 
own.  He  underRood  the  meaning  inftantly  with- 
out further  explanation,  and  was  thereby  alfo  re- 
lieved. Perhaps  fome  v/ho  may  hereafter  perufe 
thefe  lines,  may  think  this  is  too  bold  for  a  miortal 
man  to  mention^  but  having  by  a  degree  of  expe- 
rience knov/n,  that  when  the  healing  virtue  of 
Truth  from  the  holy  Phyfician  of  Souls,  has  flowed 
through  an  humble  fervant,  to  the  relief  of  fome 
of  the  infirm  and  poor  amongfl  the  people,  who 
have  followed  phyficians  of  no  value,  and  fpent  all 
their  living  thereby,  and  no  cure  wrought,  not- 
withftanding  virtue  has  gone  through  them  as  in- 
ftruments  or  conduits,  they  have  felt  inwardly  weak 
for  a  time,  that  in  humble  abafement  of  foul  they 
might  be  taught  to  acknowledge,  that  the  King- 
dom, Power,  and  Glory  doth  belong  to  him  alone, 
who  is  God  over  all  bleffed  forever  and  ever. 

From  thence  v/e  went  to  William  Hartfliorne's  at 

at  Sandy-hook,   and  fo  to  the  quarterly-meeting  at 

'  Shrewf- 


46        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Shrewfbury,  which  was  large  in  the  feveral  fittings, 
in  which  was  felt  the  power  of  Truth  in  a  good  de- 
gree; but  many  look  and  rude  people  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood and  parts  adjacent  coming  together  at  fuch 
times  to  drink,  caroufe,  and  ride  races,  are  very  hurt- 
ful to  each  other  and  dillurbing  to  friends.  Then 
going  homeward  I  had  feveral  meetings  on  the  way, 
and  enjoyed  great  inward  peace,  and  could  there- 
fore rejoice  and  afcribe  the  praife  to  the  Lord,  who 
had  called  and  enabled  me  to  perform  this  fervice. 

Having  a  concern  on  my  mind  to  vifit  the  meetings 
of  friends  on  the  Eaftern  fhore  in  Maryland,  I  laid 
it  before  our  monthly-meeting  and  obtained  a  cer- 
tificate in  the  tenth  month ;  my  brother  in  law  James 
Brown  bearing  me  company;  and  we  were  at  Cse- 
cil  monthly-meeting  held  at  Chefter  in  the  eleventh 
month,  before  meeting  a  friend  informed  me  that 
he  thought  it  would  be  bell  for  me  to  crofs  Chefter 
river,  and  go  directly  Southward;  I  told  him  it 
might  be  fo,  but  I  could  fay  little  to  it  at  prefent; 
but  fome  friends  confulting  about  it,  and  one 
being  there  who  lived  near  the  meeting  houfe  in 
Queen  Anns  county,  they  thought  he  could  give 
notice  on  firfl  day  to  feveral  meetings;  fo  a  friend 
ventured  to  fpeak  publicly  thereof  at  the  clofe  of 
the  meeting  for  worlliip,  without  letting  me  know 
what  he  intended  to  do.  I  had  been  uncommonly 
diflrefled  as  I  fat  in  the  meeting,  from  an  appre- 
henfion  that  but  few  of  the  friends  belonging  to 
that  particular  meeting  were  there,  and  when  he 
publilhed  where  it  was  propofed  I  fliould  be  the 
enfuing  week,  I  felt  my  mind  opened  and  turned 
another  way,  and  ftood  up  and  told  friends,  that  I 
did  believe  they  thought  it  mod  for  my  eafe  to  lay 
out  the  meetings  after  that  manner,  but  if  friendg 
at  that  particular  meeting  would  favour  me  fo  far 
as  to  meet  there  next  day,  I  fliould  be  glad  to  fit 
with  them,  provided  they  would  pleafe  to  let  other 

friends 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        47 

friends  and  neighbours  who  were  abfent  know  of 
it ;    for  if  I  had  a  right  fenfc,    there  were  fevcral 
members  not  prefent,  and  1  Ihould  be  willing  to  be 
at  Caecil  meeting  on  firft  day,  and  Saffafrafs  on  fe- 
cond  day,  which  was  directly  back,  and  therefore 
told  them  it  feemed   eafiefl  to  my  mind,    tho'  it 
would  occafion  more  riding,  this  being  agreed  to, 
we  had  a  much  larger  meeting  next  day,  for  many 
before  were  abfent  as  I  had  thought,  and  I  had  a 
full  opportunity  to  difcharge  myfelf  toward  the  luke- 
warm and  indifferent,  and  diforderly  walkers,  and 
had  peace;  I  vifited  feveral  families  on  feventh  day 
to  good  fatisfadion,  and  was  at  Caecil  meeting  on 
firft  day,  and  the  next  day  at  Saffafrafs,  and  had  to 
believe  it  was  by  the  fecret  direction  of  the  good 
ihepherd,  who  never  faileth  his  dependant  children, 
that  I  was  turned  this  way;  for  he  was  pleafed  to 
own  my  fervice  in  thefe  meetings  by  his  prefence 
in  a  good  degree  to  the  praife  of  his  own  name, 
which  is  worthy  forever:  From  thence  we  paffed 
over  the  Head  of   Chefler  by  the  bridge,     John 
Browning,  a  friend  from  Saffafrafs,  going  with  us  as 
a  guide,  who  fome  time  before  haa  been  convinced 
of  the  bleffed  Truth,    by  the  inward  operation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  without  any  inftrumeni:'^!  means; 
he  had  been  a  member  of  the  church  of  England 
fo  called,  and  for  his  fobriety  was  chofen  a  Vcx^fJ- 
man;    but  after  a  time  felt  a  fcruple  in  his  mina 
about  taking  off  his    hat,    when   he  entered    the 
Church-yard  fo  called,  fearing  it  was  a  fuperftitiou? 
adoration  of  the  ground,  from  its  fuppofed  holinefs; 
but  would  take  it  off  when  he  entered  the  worffiip 
houfe,  and  walk  uncovered  to  his  pew ;  but  after  a 
time  could  not  uncover  his  head,    till  what  they 
call  Divine  Service  began ;    which  as  he  kept  in- 
wardly attentive  to  the  fcruple  in  his  mind,  became 
very  lifelefs  to  him,  who  was  inwardly  feeking  for 
fubftancc  and  life^   aud  therefore  withdrew  there- 
from ; 


48         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

from;  and  after  fome  thne  went  to  one. of  our  meet- 
ings, rather  out  of  curiofity  than  expeding  any  good^ 
but  felt  hunfelf  owned,  and  had  a  tafte  of  the  peace 
which  the  world  cannot  give,  and  from  that  time 
became  a  conftant  attender  of  our  meetings. 

We  had  a  meeting  at  Queen  Ann's  amongft  a  peOf- 
pie  who  for  want  of  keeping  to  the  life  of  Rehgion, 
had  almoft  loft  the  form:  In  converfation  at  a  cer- 
tain houfe  in  the  evening,  i  af];ed  a  friend,  whether 
ihe  was  a  friend's  child  or  one  convinced  of  our 
principles^  her  reply  was,  that  when  flie  was  young, 
fhe  lived  at  a  friend's  houfe,  and  took  a  notion  of 
going  to  meeting  with  them^  which  fhe  had  done 
ever  fmce;  Alafs!  when  notion  changes  the  will,  and 
not  that  faith  which  works  by  love  to  the  purifying 
of  the  heartj  the  religion  is  without  reformation, 
empty  and  deadi  From  thence  we  went  to  Tuckaho 
meeting,  and  the  weather  being  very  cold  and  ri- 
vers frozen  up,  feveral  mailers  of  veffels  and  failors 
came  there  and  divers  others  people  of  faihion 
with  gay  cloathing;  in  the  fore  part  of  the  meet- 
ing there  was  an  appearance  made  which  grieved 
me,  for  my  heart  yearned  towards  the  people;  the 
w^crds  that  he  began  with  were  "  Wo,  wo,  to  the 
crown  of  pride  and  drunkards  of  Ephraim;"  and 
with  very  little  application  fat  down ;  it  appeared  to 
me  as  if  the  appearance  of  gaiety  had  fired  the 
creaturely  zeal,  which  was  the  chief  motion  to  this 
fhort  fermon,  this  with  the  cold  wind  blowing  in  at 
the  door,  much  unfettled  the  meeting,  it  being  at 
the  time  when  that  remarkable  fnow  fell  which  laid 
fo  long  in  deep  drifts  this  winter;  whereupon  I  de- 
fired  the  door  might  be  fliut,  which  being  done, 
the  houfe  became  more  comfortable,  and  the  meet- 
ing fettled,  and  I  flood  up  with  an  heart  filled  with 
afl'eclion,  having  that  pafTage  of  fcripture  before 
me,  in  which  the  apoflle  Peter  declared  the  univer- 
fality  of  the  Love  of  God,  "  I  perceive  of  a  Truth 
that  God  is  no  rcfpeder  of  perfons,  &c*"  and  vi'as 


6F   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        49 

much  enlarged  thereon  to  my  own  admiration,  and 
t  believe  fatisfadion  of  the  people;  the  meetincr 
ended  fweetly  with  thanldgiving  and  prayer  to  the 
Lord  for  the  continuance  of  his  mercy  who  i«  the 
alone  author  of  all  good,  and. worthy  of  adoration 
and  wordiip  forever.  After  which  we  attended  the 
feveral  neighbouring  meetings,  through  very  fevere 
cold  weather,  and  the  houfes  being  very  open  and 
unprovided  with  the  means  of  keeping  them  warm, 
of  which  there  is  too  maaifeft  a  negled  in  thofe  parts, 
they  were  uncomfortable  and  unfettled;  in  this  jour- 
ney my  companion  appeared  in  a  few  words  in  feve- 
ral families  and  meetings;  we  reached  home  juil  be- 
fore our  quarterly-meeting  in  the  twelfth  m^onth. 

In  this  journey,  travelling  in  Talbot  county,  an 
elderly  man  afl^ed  us  if  we  faw  fome  pofls  (landing, 
pointing  to  them  and  added,  the  firfl  meeting 
George  Fox  had  on  this  fide  of  Chefopeak  Bay,  was 
held  in  a  tobacco  houfe  there  which  was  then  new; 
the  ports  that  were  landing  were  made  of  walnut, 
at  which  John  Browning  above  micntioned  rode  to 
them,  and  fat  on  his  horfe  very  (till  and  quiet;  then 
returning  to  us  again  with  more  fpeed  than  he  went, 
I  afked  him  what  he  faw  amongft  thofe  old  pofls, 
he  anfwered,  "  I  would  not  have  miffed  of  what 
*'  I  faw  for  five  pounds,  for  I  faw  the  root  and 
''  grounds  of  Idolatry;  before  1  went  I  thought 
^'  perhaps  I  might  have  felt  fome  fecret  virtue 
"  in  the  place  where  George  ¥ox  had  ftood  and 
*'  preached,  whom  I  believe  to  have  been  a  good 
"  man;  but  whilfl  I  flood  there,  I  was  fecretly  in- 
'^  formed,  that  if  George  was  a  good  man,  he  was 
"  in  Heaven  and  not  there,  and  virtue  is  not  to  be 
'*  communicated  by  dead  things,  whether  pofts, 
"  earth,  or  curious  pictures,  but  by. the  power  of 
^'  God  who  is  the  fountain  of  livinc^  virtue."  A 
leffon,  which  if  rightly  learned,  would  wean  from 
the  worfhip  of  images  and  adoration  of  relids. 

H  I  was 


so        Th£    life   and    TRAVEjLS 

I  was  not  many  miles  from  home  this  fummer^ 
fave  to  attend  our  own  quarterly  and  yearly-meet- 
ings; but  in  the  fall  having  fome  drawings  in  my 
mind  to  vifit  friends  in  the  New-fettlement  in 
\/irginia,  I  went  with  a  committee  of  the  quar- 
terly-meeting, appointed  to  infpedt  whether  friends 
at  Fairfax  were  in  number  and  weight  fufficient 
to  have  a  meeting  fettled  amongll  them  to  the 
reputation  of  truth,  and  we  vifited  all  the  fami- 
lies of  friends  there,  and  had  a  meeting  am.ong 
them  to  fatisfaclion ;  from  thence  we  went  to  a 
place  called  Providence  or  Tulkarora,  from  whence 
Mordecai  Yarnal  who  was  one  of  the  number  went 
home,  having  heard  that  his  wife  was  dead  or  likely 
to  die ;  we  had  a  meeting  with  the  friends  there, 
who  were  glad  to  fee  us,  and  then  went  to  Hope- 
well monthly-meeting  to  fome  fatistadion;  from 
"whence  I  Vv'ent  to  a  few  families  fettled  up  Sha- 
nondoa  above  the  Three-top't  Mountain  fo  called, 
and  had  a  meeting  amongft  them,  they  were  pret- 
ty much  tendered  and  received  the  vifit  kindly, 
efpecially  fuch  who  did  not  make  profeffion  of  the 
truth  with  us;  1  admired  how  they  had  notice,  for 
many  came  to  it,  and  fome  ten  miles  or  more:  I 
believe  that  the  delight  in  hunting  and  a  roving  idle 
life  drew  moft  of  them  under  our  name  to  fettle 
there,  fo  having  difcharged  myfelf  in  a  plain  yet 
loving  manner,  I  returned  to  Robert  M'Coy  jun's, 
and  having  had  feveral  other  meetings  thereaway, 
I  went  home  with  peace  of  mind  and  thankfulnefs 
•of  heart  to  him  who  alone  enables,  his  children  to 
anfwer  his  requirings,  having  rode  in  this  journey 
above  four  hundred  miles. 

This  winter  John  Cadwalader  and  Zebulon  Hef- 
ton,  in  their  return  from  a  religious  vilit  to  friends 
in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Carolina,  were  at  my 
houfe,  and  being  defirous  to  vifit  fome  meetings  on. 
the  Eaitern-fliore  of   Maryland,    I  v/ent  with  them 

to 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        51 

to  Saflafrafs-meeting,  and  called  to  fee  the  widow 
and  children  of  John  Browning  who  had  been  dead 
about  a  month,  and  (he  gave  me  in  fubilance  the 
following  account  of  him,  i;/z. 

"  My  hufband  was  not  long  Tick,  but  faid,  that 
"  he  believed  he  (hould  not  recover,  and  charged 
"  me    to  endeavour   that  his   children   fliould    be 
*'  brought  up  in  the  way  of  Truth  which  friends 
"  profefs ;    and  if  they  incline  Xo  have  trades,  to 
"  put  them  apprentice  to  real  friends,  not  barely 
"  nominal  ones,    (which  (lie  faid,  (lie  was  willing 
"  to  do,  tho'  (he  had  never  yet  joined  to  friends) 
"  and  defired  Ihe  would  not  truft  her  own  judg- 
*'  ment,    and  named  fome  friends  with  whom  die 
"  {hould    advife    in   choofmg   mafters;    then  faid, 
*'  when  I  am  dead,  bury  me  by  my  father  and  mo- 
*^  ther  in  the  grave-yard  belonging  to  our  family, 
"  and  thou  knowefl  that  I  put  a  large  grave-flone 
*'  at  my  father's  grave,  and  there  is  one  ready  for 
"  my  mother's  grave, -which  I  did  not  put  there, 
"  becaufe  I  began  to  think  they  were  more  for 
"  grandeur  than  fervice ;  I  fent  for  them  from  Eng- 
"  land,   (not  at  the  requeft  of  my  father)  they  are 
*'  mine,    and  now  I  have  a  full  teflimony  againft 
"  fuch  formal  tokens  of  refped;  therefore  when  I 
<^'  am  buried,  before  the  company  leaves  the  grave, 
"  inform  them  what  my  will  is,    and  defu-e  their 
"  help  to  take  the  grave-itonq  from  my  father's 
"  grave,  and  carry  it  out  of  the  yard,  that  it  may 
"  be  brought  home,    and  lay  one  in  one  hearth, 
"  and  the  other  in  the  other  hearth  of  this  new- 
"  houfe,    and  they  will  be  of  real  fervice  there;  ^ 
"  which  (he  promifed  him  to  obferve,  and  told  me 
*'  (he  had  complyed  therewith;  he  remained  fenfi- 
"  ble  to  near  the  laft,   and  departed  in  a  quiet  re* 
"  figned  frame  of  mind." 

How 

*  He  had  built  a  new  brick  houle  and  the  hearth  not 
fully  laid. 


52         The    LIFE    and    TRxWELS 

How  weak  are  the  arguments  of  fuch  who  make 
profeffion  with  us,  and  plead  for  thofe  grand  marks 
of  memorial  or  other  tokens  of  diflindion  fet  up 
at  or  on  the  graves  of  their  deceafed  relations,  and 
how  foon  would  they  fubfide,  did  they  but  live  fo 
rear  the  pure  truth  as  to  feel  the  mind  thereof,  as 
I  fully  believe  this  our  friend  did,  knowing  that  the. 
name  of  the  righteous  will  not  periih,  but  be  had 
in  everlafting  remembrance,  becaufe  their  portion 
is  life  for  evermore,  having  entered  into  that  King-^ 
dom  prepared  for  the  bleffed  before  the  foundation 
of  the  world. 

This  fpring  of  the  year  1742,  I  felt  ftrong  draw- 
ings of  mind  to  vifit  friends  in  New -England,  hav- 
ing had  fome  view  thereof  feveral  years  before; 
and  having  obtained  a  certificate,  I  fet  forvvard  in 
the  third  month,  and  after  vifiting  feveral  meetings 
in  New-Jerfey,  and  one  in  New-York,  I  attended 
the  yearly-meeting  on  Long  liland,  wherein  the 
power  of  truth  was  felt,  and  a  great  opennefs  to 
thofe  of  other  focieties,  many  of  whom  were  pre- 
fent,  particularly  the  lafl  day,  and  two  priefts 
\vho  be  haved  folidly.      ' 

I  then  went  with  Samuel  Hopwood  (a  miniftring 
friend  from  England,  with  whom  I  had  traveled 
in  this  journey  through  part  of  Nen-Jerfey)  to 
Ryewoody  and  had  a  meeting  there,  where  were  a 
few  folid  friends,  but  others  too  talkative;  and  be- 
ing at  Old-Seabrook  had  a  meeting  in  an  inn,  on 
the  firft  day  of  the  week,  the  people  being  chiefly 
Prefoyterians,  fev/  attended  befides  ourfelves,  and 
thofe  of  the  family  who  were  kind  and  civil  to  us; 
then  going  to  Conanicut  we  had  a  meeting  with 
friends  on  that  Ifiand,  and  proceeded  to  Newport 
on  Rhode- illand,  and  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  week 
attended  the  meeting  at  Portfmouth,  where  we 
met  M  ith  Lydia  Dean  from  Pennfylvania,  who  was 
on  a  religious  viht  to  friends  in  New-England,  and 

many 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        53 

many  other  fviends  coming  to  be  at  the  yearly-meet- 
ing on  this  liland;  it  began  on  the  fixth  day  of  the 
week  with  a  meeting  of  miniftcrs  and  elders,  and 
two  meetings  ior  public  worlhip,  one  in  the  fore- 
inoon  and  the  other  in  the  afterniyon,  and  were  held 
in  the  fame  order  until  the  fecond  day  of  the  next 
week,  when  the  meeting  for  difcipiine  began;  this 
large  yearly  meeting  in  the  feveral  fettings  thereof 
was  generally  foiid  and  fatisfaclory ;  after  which  tak- 
ing divers  meetings  in  our  way,  namely,  Portf- 
-mouth,  Tiverton,  Seconet,  Accoakefet,  and  Aponi- 
gangfet,  and  attending  their  monthly-meeting  there, 
all  which  were  in  a  good  degree  fatisfaclory,  S. 
Hopwood  and  myfelf  embarked  for  Nantucket,  and 
through  the  mercy  of  kind  providence  arrived  fafe 
there,  after  a  palTage  of  three  days  and  two  nights^ 
occafioned  by  fcant  winds,  and  an  Eafterly  ilorm 
Which  tore  our  fails  very  much,  being  old  and  rot- 
ten," fo  that  if  fome  watchful  friends  on  the  Ifland 
had  not  feen  us  in  diilrefs,  and  come  with  three 
whale  boats,  and  took  all  the  palTengers  being  twen- 
ty four  of  us  from  the  veffel,  we  Ihould  have  been 
in  great  danger;  for  being  near  a  fand  bar,  the  vef- 
fel (truck  ground  foon  after  we  left  her,  and  by  the 
violence  of  the  wind  'was  driven  on  fhore :  We 
looked  on  this  deliverance  as  a  mercy  from  God, 
to  whom  feveral  of  us  were  bowed  in  humble 
thankfulnefs  for  this  particular  favour:  On  the 
twenty-fecond  day  of  the  fourth  month  the  yearly- 
meeting  began,  which  though  fmall  on  this  day  by 
reafon  of  the  dorm,  '  was  comfortable,  the  other 
fittings  were  moftly  large  and  in  a  good  degree  own- 
ned  by  the  power  and  virtue  of  Truth. 

My  friend  S.  Hopwood  apprehending  himfelf 
clear,  inclined  to  return  to  the  Main-land,  but  no 
paiTage  offered;  and  notwithltanding  the  meetings 
had  been  generally  attended  by  moll  of  the  Inha- 
bitants of  the  Iflaad,  and  large,  yet  I  was  not  eafy 

without 


54        The    LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

without  endeavouring  to  have  fomc  opportunities 
with  friends  by  themfelves,  as  much  as  could  be, 
which  I  obtained,  befides  attending  their  ufual  week 
day  meeting  and  in  thefe  fittings,  it  pleafed  the 
Lord  to  open  my  way  to  dehver  feveral  things 
which  had  lain  heavy  on  my  mind;  for  although 
fome  folid  tender  fpirited  friends  lived  on  this  Ifland, 
yet  I  faw  there  was  a  libertine  fpirit  fecretly  at  work 
amongd  fome  others,  to  draw  away  from  the  pure 
inward  life  of  religion  and  the  fimplicity  of  Truth, 
into  eafe  and  liberty ;  after  which  I  had  great  peace, 
and  my  mind  was  made  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who 
had  owned  my  labour  by  a  good  degree  of  his  pre- 
fence  and  power. 

Being  now  fully  clear  and  a  paflage  offering,  on 
the  fecond  of  the  fifth  month  we  took  leave  of  our 
friends^  and  landed  the  fame  day  in  the  evening  at 
Seconnet,  and  on  feventh  day  S.  Hopwood  and 
I  went  to  the  quarterly-meeting  at  Sandwich,  and 
were  at  their  firft  day  meeting  alfo,  after  which, 
I,  went  back  to  Seconnet,  and  had  a  meeting  at 
Benjamin  Boreman's;  then  returned  to  Sandwich 
where  I  again  met  S.  Hopwood,  and  on  third  day 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Yarmouth,  and  returning  to 
Humphrey  Wady's,  we  from  thence  went  towards 
Boflon,  taking  a  meeting  with  friends  at  Pembrook, 
reached  that  town  on  fixth  day,  and  attended  their 
morning  and  afternoon  liieetings  on  firfl  day,  alfo 
one  at  a  friends  houfe  in  the  evening.  I  have  here 
little  to  remark,  fave  that  religion  feems  to  be  at  a 
low  ebb.  From  Bofton  I  went  to  Lynn,  but  S. 
Hopwood  returned  towards  Rhode-illand;  I  had  a 
meeting  at  Lynn,  alfo  at  Salem,  Newberry  ar'^ 
Dover,  being  the  monthly. meeting;  the  next  day 
at  Cachechy,  and  in  the  afternoon  again  ^t  Dover 
at  the  burial  of  Mary  Whitehoufe  who  w^  ninety 
five  years  of  age;  and  on  fecond  day  morning, 
I  was  fecretly  drawn  to  have  a  meeting  over  the 

river 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        sS 

tiver  on  the  Kittery  (here  among  friends,  which  was 
fatisfaftory  to  myfelf  and  them,  there  being  a  ten- 
der people  there:  On  third  day  morning  as  I  lay  in 
bed,  I  felt  my  mind  drawn  towards  the  North-weft, 
which  was   an  exercife  to  me,    for  I  had  before 
thought  myfelf  at  hberty  to  return  towards  Bofton; 
I  arofe  about  fun  rife,  and  afked  the  friend  where 
I  lodged,  whether  any  friends  lived  at  a  diftance  on 
that  quarter,    for  that  I  had  a  draft  that  way,  he 
anfwered  no,    and  alked  how  far  I  thought  to  go, 
I  told  him  it  did  not  feem  to  me  to  be  more  than 
ten  miles;    he  faid  there  was  a  people  about  eight 
miles  diftant,    which  he  fuppofed  was  the  place  to 
which  I  felt  the  draft;  I  defired  him  to  fend  a  lad 
with  a  few  lines  to  fome  perfon  that  he  knew,  to 
inform  them  that  a  ft  ranger  would  be  glad  to  have 
a  meeting  among  them  at  the  eleventh  hour  of  that 
day,  if  they  were  free  to  grant   it,    which  he  did 
and  with  his  wife  went  with   me ;   fo  that  we  got 
to  the  place  near  the  time  propofed,  and  found  a 
confiderable  gathering  of   people,    that  I  wondred 
how  it  could  be  in  fo  ftiort  a  time,  not  more  than 
three  hours  warning;     they   were   preparing   feats 
by  laying  boards  on  blocks  in  a  pretty  in  large  new 
houfe,    and   foon  fat  down  in  an  orderly  manner-, 
I  went  in  great  tear  and  inward  weaknefs,  and  at 
the  fight  of  fuch  a  gathering  of  people,   and  none 
of  our  profeflion  .among  them  except  the  friend  and 
his  wife  who  accompanied  me,  and  two  others  who 
joined  us  on  the  way,  my  fpirit  was  greatly  bowed, 
and  my  heart  filled  with  fecret  cries  to  the  Lord, 
that  he  would  be  pleafed  to  magnify  his  own  power, 
and  blefled  for  ever  be  his  holy  name!  he  heard 
my  cry,  and  furniftied  with  wifdom  and  ftrength  to 
declare  his  word  to  the  people,  among  whom  there 
were  fome  very  tender  feekers  after  the  true  know- 
ledge of   God;    and  the  doctrine  of  Truth  flowed 
freelv  towards  them,  the  univerfality  of  the  love  of 

God 


56        ♦The    lIFE    and    TRAVELS 

God  being  fet  forth  in  oppofition  to  the  commoii 
predeftinarian  notioij  of  eledion  and  reprobation; 
when  the  meeting  was  over  I  felt  an  uncommon 
freedom  to  leave  them,  for  they  began  to  fhev^r 
their  fatisfaction  with  the  opportunity  in  many  words, 
fo  fpeaking  to  the  friend  who  went  with  me,  we 
withdrew  and  went  to  our  horfes,  and  I  immedi- 
ately mounting,  beheld  the  man  of  the  houfe  where 
the  meeting  was  held  running  to  me,  who  taking 
hold  of  the  bridle,  told  me  I  muft  not  go  away  with- 
out dining  wit*h  them;  I  look'd  fleadfaflly  on  him, 
and  told  him,  that  I  did  believe  this  was  a  vifitation 
for  their  good,  but  I  was  fearful  that  they,  by  talk- 
ing too  freely  and  too  much,  would  be  in  danger 
of  lofmg  the  benefit  thereof,  and  mifs  of  the  good 
that  the  Lord  intended  for  them,  and  my  going 
away  was  in  order  to  example  them  to  go  home  to 
their  own  houfes,  and  turn  inward,  and  retire  to 
that  of  God  in  their  own  hearts,  which  was  the 
only  way  to  grow  in  religion ;  fo  I  left  him,  and 
returned  with  my  friend  Jofeph  Eaftees  and  his 
wife.  Next  day  I  was  again  at  Cachechy  meeting 
where  Lydia  Dean  and  her  companion  Eliphal  Har- 
per met  me,  it  was  a  good  meeting;  from  thence 
we  went  to  Dover  and  had  a  meeting,  and  another 
the  larne  evening  at  the  houfe  of  John  Kenny,  and 
being  clear  in  my  mind  of  thole  parts,  I  returned, 
having  meetings  at  Hampton,  Salifbury,  Aimfbury, 
and  Haverhill,  at  which  laft  place,  feveral  perfons 
were  aifembled  with  us  who  had  never  beared  the 
preaching  of  any  friend  before;  there  was  great 
opennefs  among  them,  and  we  had  a  good  meeting 
together,  for  which  I  was  thankful  to  the  holy  au- 
thor of  all  good.  Next  day  I  again  met  with  Lydia 
Dean  and  E.  Harper,  at  Stephen  Sawyer's  near 
Newberry  wliere  we  had  a  meeting,  at  wliich  I  was 
concerned  to  fpeak  in  a  brief  manner  of  the  begin- 
ning of  the  reformation  iVom  the  errors   of  the 

church 


•OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        ^^ 

church  of  Rome,  and  the  fufFerings  of  the  Proteft- 
ants  particularly  in  England,  feme  of  whofe  fuc- 
ceiibrs  turned  perfecutors,  and  were  very  cruel  to 
thofe  whom  they  called  Sectarians ;  amongft  whom 
the  Prefbyterians  having  fuffered  perfecution,  in  or- 
der to  be  eafed  therefrom,  came  into  America  and 
fettled  in  New-England,  expecting  there  to  enjoy 
that  reafonable  right,  the  liberty  of  their  confci- 
ence;  and  in  this  their  eafe,  forgetting  the  golden 
rule  of  doing  to  others  as  they  would  be  done  unto, 
became,  to  their  lalHng  Ignominy,  perfecutors  of 
the  Quakers  fo  called,  even  to  the  death  of  feveral 
of  them;  and  I  had  to  fpeak  of  the  nature  and 
ground  of  perfecution,  and  the  great  inconfiilency 
thereof  with  chridianity:  Several  of  thePreibyterlaiis 
were  prefent,  and  an  ancient  man  from  Newberry, 
one  of  their  leaders  and^.  an  elder  among  them, 
when  the  meeting  wa:  over,  dcfired  he  might  fpeak 
with  me,  I  being  withdrawn  into  a  little  parlour, 
friend  Sawyer  came  and  mformed  me,  that  the  old 
man  wanted  to  be  admitted  to  me,  to  which  I  relt 
no  objection,  being  quiet  and  eafy  in  my  mind, 
tho'  I  expeded  he  would  be  for  difputing ;  when 
he  came  in,  he  let  me  know  that  he  had  fome  obfer- 
vations  to  make  to  me;  vi%.  "  he  fuppofed  I  was  a 
''  man  that  had  read  much,  or  I  could  not  be  fo 
"  fully  acquainted  with  the  reformation,  and  that 
"  he  alio  fuppofed  I  had  a  College  education;"  as 
to  the  laft,  I  told  him  that  I  never  had  been  at  ^- 
fchool  but  about  three  months,  and  the  man  I  went 
to  being  a  weaver,  fat  in  his  loom  and  heard  his 
fcholars  read;  that  I  was  fofar  from  having  a  po- 
pular education,  that  I  was  born  in  a  wildernefs 
place,  where  a  few  families  had  fettled  many  miles 
remote  from  other  inhabitants;  at  which,  lifting  up 
his  hands,  he  blelfed  himfelf  and  added,  "  Heaven 
has  then  anointed  you  to  preach  the  Gofpel,  and 
you  have  this  day  preached  the  truth;  but  I  can 

I  aHiire 


-8        ^I'Hfi    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

▼    » 

alTure  you,  tho'  1  have  been  a  Parilh  officer,  I 
never  did  take  any  thing  from  your  friends  the 
Quakers,  for  I  aui  againll  perfecution;  fo  God  blefs 
you  with  a  good  journey." 

The  next  day  1  had  a  meeting  at  Ipfwich  in  the 
'  houfe  of  Benjamin  Hoeg,   none  profeihng  with  us 
living  in  that  tow"n  but  himfelf   and  family;  tho' 
there  was  a  friendly  man,   who,  as  I  came  late  to 
the  town  the  evening  before,  invited  me  to  lodge 
at  his  houfe,  of  which  I  accepted,  and  being  weary 
Hept  well;    in  the  morning  I  heard  a  noife  of  high 
words  in  the  (lireet,    and  getting  up  1  opened  the 
door  of  the  parlour  where  I  lodged,  and  through  a 
paffage    into    the    kitchen,    faw    a   woman    whom 
I  rook  to  be  the  miilrcfs  of  the  houfe,  and  went 
toward  her;    but  with  a  look  of  exceeding  difplea- 
fure   {lie   immediately  Ihut  the  door,    fo  I   turned 
into   my   room   again;    after  a  while  the  landlord 
came  to  me,    and  told  me  that  he  had  been  with 
the  Burgefs,    who  had  given  leave  that  a  meeting 
might  be  held  in  the  Town-hali;  but  the  pried  and 
his  two  fons  had  fmce  been  with  the  Burgefs  and 
forbad  him,  and  that  rather  than  difpleafethem,  he 
had  withdrawn  the  leave;    the  prieil  airerled  that 
the  Quakers  were  heretics,  and  had  gone  about  the 
town  to  forewarn  his  hearers  againil  going  to  the 
meeting,  which  was  the  meaning  of  the  noife  I  had 
heard  in  the  (Ireet;    I  ielt  very  eafy,  and  defired 
that  he  would  not  trouble  himfelf  any  further  than 
to  inform  them,  that  the  meeting  would  be  held  at 
the  houfe  of   B.  Hoeg;    for  I  did  believe  that  the 
railing  of  the  prieil  would  raife  the  curiofity  of  the 
people  the  more  to  come,  and  fo  it  proved:  I  afked 
him  t(5  fhew  me  the  way  to  the  houfe,  that  I  might 
be  affillant  in  making  provifion  for  feats  if  occafion 
required,    he  faid  I  mud  take  breakfafl  with  him, 
which   was   foon  brought    in  by  the   woman  who 
had  fliut  the. door  as  before  mentioned;  I  alked  him 

if 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         59 

if  {he  was  his  wife,  he  told  me  flie  was,  on  which 
I  arofe  from  my  feat  and   offered   her   my  hand, 
aiking    her    how    fhe    did,    but   flie   in   difpleafure 
refufed,    and  faying  not  a  word,   diredly  left  the 
room;   after  breakfaft  we  went  to  the  houfe  where 
the  meeting  was  to  be  held,  and  there  foon  came  a 
great  number  of  people,    and  the  priefl  alfo  very 
near  the  door,  where  he  flood  cautioning  his  hear- 
ers ;  but  feveral  came  by  an  alley  to  the  back  door, 
and  others  feemed  little  to  regard  him,  that  after  a 
time  he  went  away,    and  through  the  goodnefs  of 
the  Lord  we  had  a  folid  profitable  meeting ;  for  I 
believe  many  were  there  whofe  hearts  were  reached 
and  tendered  by  the  love  and  power  of  the  Gofpel 
of  Chrifh,  and  among  them  I  faw  my  fcornful  land- 
lady; it  feems,  a  woman  whom  fhe  valued  had  per- 
fuaded  her  to  come  with  her;  before  the  meetinof 
ended,    I  perceived  her  countenance  was  chanp-ed 
and  her  ftout  heart  tendered,  and  after  it  fhe  came 
to  me  with  her  hufband,  and  kindly  invited  me  to 
dine  with  them;    I  owned   their  love,  and  defired 
them  to  mind  the  Truth  by  which  they  had  been 
reached;   fo  in  humble  thankfulncfs  of  heart  to  the 
great  Author  of  ajl  living  mercies,  1  left  them,  and 
went  that  night  to  Salem ;  and  tarrying  one  meeting 
the  next  day,    paffed  on  to  Marblehead  and  had  a 
meeting  in  the  Town-hall,   the  magiftrates  readily 
granting  it,    which  was  large.    1  had  to  fpeak  on 
morality,  the  nature  and  neceiruy  thereof,  fiiewing 
that  a  man  could  not  be  a  true  Chriftian  without 
being  a  good  moralift;  1  thought  they  had  need  of 
a  reformation  in  their  morals,   tho'  they  profeffed 
chriftianity  in  a  high  manner;  one  thing  is  worthy 
of  remarking,  the  felect  men  and  officers  were  very 
careful  to  keep  the  rude  boys,  and  people  that  came 
to'  the   door  from   making  diilurbance,  feveral  of 
them  walked  to  the  door  and  fpokc  to  them,:  and 
'•apped 'fome  on  .  their  4i cads   with  their' canes  to 

make 


60        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

make  them  dill;  the  meeting  ended  to  fatisfaclion 
without  the  lead  oppofition;  from  thence,  taking  a 
meeting  at  Lynn  by  the  way,  1  went  to  Boiion,  and 
was  at  their  meetings  on  firfi  day  in  the  iortnoon  and 
afternoon,  at  both  which,  fcveral  came  that  were  not 
in  profelhon  with  us,  and  truth  opened  ihe  doclrine 
thereof  to  the  people  pretty  freely ;  but  1  was  not 
eafy  to  leave  this  town  without  having  on  opportu- 
nity with  friends  by  themfelves,  for  which  purpofe 
it  was  held  at  Benja.  Bagnall'^,  and  therein  1  was 
deeply  bowed  under  a  fenfe  of  the  Hate  of  eafe  in 
which  fome  were  delighting  themfelvts  in  their 
imaginary  attainments,  Vv'hilil  the  pure  feed  lay  un- 
der fuffering;  but  bleffed  be  the  Lord,  who  was 
gracioufly  pleafed  to  endue  with  a  fpirit  oi  Love 
and  tender  compaliion,  and  thereby  enabled  me  to 
difcharge  myfelf  fully,  and  I  was  re  leafed  from 
what  had  lain  very  heavy  upon  me  for  feveral  days; 
the  next  day.  I  had  an  opportunity  with  feveral 
friends  at  Samuel  Pope's,  and  then  left  Boiton  pret- 
ty eafy  in  my  mind,  and  went  to  Samuel  Thuyres 
at  Mendam,  who  accompanied  me  the  next  day  to 
Uxbridge,  where  we  had  a  meeting  with  a  few  raw, 
talkative  people,  which,  through  the  goodnefs  of 
God,  was  neverthelefs  to  fome  degree  of  fatisfadi- 
on;  I  returned  with  Sam.  Thayre  to  his  houfe,  where 
I  met  with  Kannah  Jenkinfon  from  Pennfylvania, 
and  we  were  at  Mendam  meeting  together;  (he 
then  went  towards  Boflon,  and  1  to  Wainfokett, 
and  Providencetown,  and  had  a  meeting  at  each 
place,  the  latter  of  which  was  a  poor  meeting,  the 
people  looking  for  words  and  not  waiting  for  the 
word  of  life  in  their  own  hearts;  from  thence  I 
went  to  and  had  a  large  and  good  meeting  at  Nef- 
hanticut,  the  Lord's  prefer  ce  being  felt  to  his  own 
praife,  and  another  at  Greenwich;  then  proceeded 
to  Smithiield  and  Taunton,  taking  a  meeting  at 
each  to  fome  good  degree  of  fatisfadicn;   from 

thence 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         6i 

thence  to  Swanzey,  Freetown,  Rochefter,  and 
Cufhnet,  having  a  meeting  at  each,  at  one  of  which, 
after  I  flood  up  to  Ipeak  a  few  words  in  great  fear, 
life  being  low  and  as  I  apprehended  the  feed  under 
fuiTering,  I  heard  a  kind  of  fighing  by  one  in  the 
gallery,  va  hich  fecmed  to  bring  death  rather  than 
to  raife  life,  and  after  1  had  fpoken  a  fcntence  or 
tuo,  it  became  exceedingly  burthenfome;  where- 
upon it  came  frefh  in  my  mind  to  fay;  "  can  an 
Ifraelite  hng  a  true  Hebrew  fong  whilit  the  feed  is 
in  captivity  and  under  fufFering?  an  attempt  of 
the  kind  fiiews  ignorance."  At  which  there  was 
a  great  fiience  and  the  fighing  ended,  and  I  receiv- 
ed flrength  to  deliver  what  was  on  mind,  and  truth 
was  felt  in  a  good  degree  toarife;  the  meeting  end- 
ed well,  and  feveral  friends  expreffed  their  fatis- 
fa^lion  with  the  fervice  on  that  day.  Being  clear  of 
thofe  parts  I  went  to  Rhode-ifland,  and  in  a  fenfe 
of  the  goodnefs  and  mercy  of  the  Lord  w^ho  had 
helped  me  in  my  travels  in  his  work,  my  foul  w^or- 
fliipped  before  him. 

On  the  twenty-fecond  of  the  fixth  month  I  fat 
with  friends  at  Newport  in  their  fore  and  afternoon 
meetings,  and  next  morning  left  Rhode-ifland  with 
a  heavy  heart  and  had  a  meeting  at  South  Kingfton, 
where  I  met  with  Sufanna  Morris  and  her Tifter 
Hannah  Hurford,  and  the  fame  day  had  a  meeting  at 
James  Parry's,  and  the  day  following  we  had  one 
at  Thomas  Stanton's  in  Wefterly,  among  a  mixed 
people  of  feveral  focieties,  to  whom  I  felt  a  ftream 
oF  gofpel  love;  but  the  meeting  was  hurt  by  feveral 
appearances  of  one  prefent  who  lived  at  no  great 
diltance.  Our  manner  of  fitting  in  filence  is  fo  very 
different  from  the  common  practice  of  moft  other 
religious  focieties,  that  it  is  no  marvel  if  it  fliould 
be  as  time  mifpent  to  fome,  and  fill  others  with 
wonder,  which  was  the  cafe  this  day;  and  for 
want  of  a  deep  inward  attention  tc  the  living  word 

of 


6z         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

of  Truth,    inftead  of  inftru^ling  the  people  in  the 
true  way  of  worlliip  in  the  love  of  the  Gofpel,  there 
may  be  a  warm  cenfuring  of  them  for  what  they 
Uiiderfland  not,  and  thereby  raife  a  diflike  in  them, 
to  the  foreclofmg  of  other  fervice ;  and  I  have  fome- 
times  obferved  hurt  done  by  this  means,  by  fome 
who  appeared  in  the  impatience,    not  having  the 
weight  of  the  v»^ork  upon  them;  cuftom  had  taught 
the  people  to  look  for  words,  and  they  were  offend- 
ed  by  v/ords  fpoken  not  in  fealon,   and  therefore 
not  fitly  fpoken;    I  left  this  meeting  with  forrow, 
and  alter  I  mounted  my  horfe,  the  perfon  who  had 
appeared  there  three  times,   came  to  me,  and  faid 
''  he  hoped  he  had  net  hindered  my  fervice  in  it;'* 
I  reminded  him,    that  he  had  informed  the  people 
in  that  meeting,  their  looking  for  words  had  been 
one  reafon,  why  the  Lord  had  ihut  up  the  teilimo- 
ny  of   Truth  in  the  hearts  of  his  fervants,  which 
I  told  him  I  did  believe  v/as  not  then  the  cafe;   but 
that  his  forv/ard  appearances  had  mudded  the  wa- 
ters, unfettled  the  people,  and  marred  the  fervice, 
fo  we  parted;    and  feeling  my  mind  drawn  back 
towards  Newport,   I  went  that  evening  to  James 
Congdon*s,    and  the  next  day  to  Newport,  calling 
in  my  way  at  J;imes  Parry's,  where  I  found  Lydia 
Dean  very  fick,    Ihe  being  fo  far  on  her  journey 
towards  home,    and  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  week 
I  was  at  two  fatisfaclory  meetings  there,    and  on 
feventh  day  had  a  fmall  meeting  at  Nicholas-Eaf- 
ton's,   and  on  firft  day  two  large  good  meetings  at 
Newport,    and  next  day  hearing  that  Lydia  Dean 
was  come  to  Samuel  Clark's  on  Conanicut  Ifiand, 
I  went  with  feveral  others  to  fee  her,  and  ihc  re- 
turned with  us  to  Newport,  where  after  a  very  fliort 
notice  we  had  a  large  evening  meeting,  wherein 
the  Lord  was  pleafed  mercifully  to  favour  us  with 
his  immediate  prefence  to  the  glory  and  praife  of 
his  own  eternal  name  which  is  worthy  for  ever! 

After 
1 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        6^ 

After  attending  tlieir  monthly-meeting  at  Portf- 
mouth,  fmding  my  mind  clear  and  eafy  to  proceed 
homeward,  Lydia  Dean,  Patience  Barker,  John 
Eailon,  and  myfelf  fet  out  from  Newport,  taking 
leave  of  friends  in  a  tender  manner  on  both  fides, 
and  were  the  firft  day  fohowing  at  a  meeting  in 
Weflerly,  which  was  in  a  good  degree  fatisfaftory, 
and  pafiing  through  Conncdicut  to  New-Miiford, 
Oblong,  and  Ninepartners,  had  meetings  in  each 
place ;  and  having  a  great  defire  to  be  at  our  yearly- 
meeting  for  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey,  to  be 
h^ld  at  Burlington,  which  was  near  approaching, 
we  pafTed  on,  and  took  a  meeting  at  Samuel  Field's, 
to  which  feveral  not  of  our  fociety  came,  and  the 
opportunity  was  through  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord 
profitable ;  we  then  proceeded  as  faft  as  convenient, 
and  reached  Burlington  on  firfl  day  in  the  time  of 
the  yearly-meeting,  where  many  friends  were  ga- 
thered, and  Michael  Lightfoot  in  his  return  frorn 
,  Great  Britain,  with  whom  came  John  Hailam,  and 
Edmund  Peckover  on  a  vint  to  friends  in  America; 
this  meeting  was  large  and  folid,  at  which  I  alfo 
met  my  dear  wife  to  our  mutual,  thankful  rejoice- 
ing  j  after  the  meeting  I  v/ent  home,  w4:iere  1  found 
things  as  to  the  outward  in  good  order,  for  which 
I  was  humbly  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  had  not 
only  been  with  me  by  his  heavenly  prefence  in  this 
journey,  and  brought  me  fafe  home  to  my  family, 
but  had  fupported  them  in  my  abfencej  bleifed  be 
his  holy  name  for  ever ! 


CHAP. 


^m 


64        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

CHAP.     IIL 

His  Viftt  to  Long'JJIand — Vifit  with  others  to  the 
families  of  Friends  in  Nottingham — and  to fome fami^ 
lies  in  Philadelphia  and  to  the  Mayor  of  that  City^ 
alfo  to  the  affembly  of  Fennfyl'vania  in  the  Tear 
1748. — His  Journey  with  Michael  high  foot  to  the 
Tcarly 'Meeting  at  Weft  River  in  Maryland — and 
acco?npanied  by  Jofhua  Brown  to  divers  Meetings 
in  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey. — His  conftdera- 
tions  on  Apprehending  it  his  duty  to  vifit  Friends 
in  Europe^  and  proceedings  in  preparing  to  enter 
upon  that  weighty  Service^  to  the  time  of  his  leav-^ 
ing  home  in  order  to  take  flnpping  for  London, 

N  the  Spring  of  the  Year  1743,  having  draw- 
ings in  my  mind  to  make  a  general  vifit  to 
Friends  on  Long-liland,  I  fat  out  in  the  third  monthj 
in  order  to  be  at  the  Yearly-meeting  at  Flufhing, 
which  began  on  the  fixth  day  of  the  week,  and 
continued  until  the  fecond  of  the  week  following; 
it  was  large  and  fignally  owned  by  the  power  of 
Truth  in  each  fitting;  the  publick  fervice  in  the  mini- 
flry  lay  moftly  on  Edmund  Peckover,  who  was  there 
in  his  way  to  New-England;  on  firfl  day  I  thought 
I  had  an  engagement  to  ftand  up,  and  confiderable 
matter  before  me,  and  after  fpeaking  three  or  four 
fentences  which  came  with  weight,  all  doled  up, 
and  I  flood  flill  and  filent  for  feveral  minutes,  and 
faw  nothing  more,  not  one  word  to  fpeak;  I  per- 
ceived the  eyes  of  mod  of  the  people  were  upon 
me,  they,  as  well  as  myfelf  expecting  more;  but 
nothing  further  appearing,  I  fat  down,  I  think  I 
may  fay  in  reverent  fear  and  humble  refignation, 
when  that  remarkable  fentence  of  Job^  chap.  i.  21. 
was  prefented  to  my  mind.  Naked  ca?iie  I  out  of  my 
mothers  woinb^    and  naked  fJ^ all  I  return;  the  Lord 

gave. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        6$ 

^^ave^  and  the  Lerd  hath  taken  away';  blejfed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord^  and  for,  I  fuppofe,  near  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour  I  remained  in  a  filent  quiet;  but  af- 
terwards let  in  great  reafonings  and  fear  led  I  had 
hot  waited  the  right  time  to  ftand  up,  and  fo  waar 
iufFered  to  fall  into  reproach ;  for  the  adverfary  who 
is  ever  bufy,  and  unwearied  in  his  attempts  to  de- 
vour, perfuaded  me  to  believe  that  the  people  would 
laugh  me  to  fcorn,  and  I  might  as  well  return  home 
immediately  and  privately,    as  attempt  any  further 
vifit  on  the  Ifiand;  after  meeting  I  hid  my  inward 
exercife  and  dillrefs  as  much  as  I  could,  when  night 
came  I  lodged  with  a  fympathizing  friend  and  ex- 
perienced elder,  who  began  to  fpeak  encouragingly 
to  me,    but  I  faid  to  him,  that  I  hoped  he  would 
not  take  it  amifs  if  I  defired  him  to  forbear  faying 
any  thing;  for  if  he  fliould  fay  good  things,  I  had 
no  capacity  to  believe,    and  if   otherwife,  I  could 
hot  then  underfland  fo  as  to  be  profitably  corrected 
or  inftrudled,   and  after  fome  time  fell  afleep;  when 
I  awoke,  1  remembred  that  the  fentences  I  had  de- 
livered in  the  meeting,    were  felf  evident  truths, 
which  could  not  be  wrefted  to  the  diiad vantage  of 
friends,    or  dillionour  of  the  caufe  of  Truth,  tho* 
they  might  look  like  roots  or  fomething  to  para- 
phrafe   upon,    and   altho'    my    (landing  fome   time 
lilent  before  I  fat  down  might  occafion  the  people 
to  think  me  a  filly  fellow,  yet  they  had  not  caufe  to 
blame  me  for  delivering  v/ords  without  fenfe  or  life; 
thus  I  became  very  quiet,  and  not  much  depreffedy 
and  was  favoured  with  an  humble  refignation  of 
mind,    and  a  defire  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed 
to  magnify  his  own  name  and  truth,  and  preferve 
me  from  bringing  any  reproach  thereon;  fo  I  ven- 
tured to  have  meetings  appointed,  and  my  particu- 
lar friend  and  intimate  acquaintance  Caleb  Raper  of 
Burlington,    being  at  that  meeting,   went  as  com- 
panion with  .me,  of  whofe  company  I  was  glad,  he 

K  beiiig 


hi'         'The    life    and    TRAVELS 

being  a  valuable  elder:  We  went  firfl  to  Rockaway, 
then  to  Jamaica,  Sequetague,  Setakit,  Matinicock, 
Cowneck,  and  Weftbury  meetings,  and  at  mod  of 
them  I  had  good  fatisfaciion;  the  good  preience  of 
the  Lord  in  whom  I  delighted  above  all  things,  be- 
ing witneffed  to  my  comfort,  and  I  believe  to  the 
edification  and  comfort  of  the  fincere  in  heart;  but 
the  tedimony  of  Truth  went  particularly  fharp  to 
the  lukewarm  profefibrs  and  libertines  in  our  focie- 
ty ;  that  humbling  time  I  had  at  FiuOiing  was  of 
fmgular  fervice  to  me,  being  thereby  made  willing- 
ly lubje6l  to  the  Divine  openings  of  Truth,  and 
motion  of  the  eternal  Spirit  and  pure  word  of  Life, 
in  fpeaking  to  the  feveral  ftates  of  thofe  who  w^ere 
prefent  in  the  meetings,  and  life  came  into  dominion, 
and  the  power  thereof  overihadowed  at  times,  to 
my  humble  admiration,  blefled  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord  who  is  worthy  for  ever  and  ever! 

Then   eroding  Whitedone  ferry  we   had  meet- 
ings at  Wed-Cheder,  Momarineck,  Rywoods,  and 
Longreach,  which  were  modly  to  good  fatisfaclion, 
we  then  went  to  New-York  and  were  at  their  meet- 
ing, and  in  the  evening  had  a  felecl  one  with  friends, 
which  gave  me  confiderable  relief,    and  I  believe 
fatisfadtion  to  them,    and  we  were  made  thankful 
together  in  the  renewings  of  the  covenant  of  life; 
from  thence  we  went  to  a  meeting  at  Newtown  on 
Long-Ifland,  and  to  the  monthly-meeting  at  Flufli- 
ing,    w4iere  friends  gave  me  a  certificate  in  return 
to  that  I  brouglit  from  home,  in  which  they  figni- 
ded  their  unity  with  my  fervice  on  the  Idand;  then 
taking  leave  of  friends  in  fweetnefs  of  mind  and 
inward  peace,  being  clear  of  thofe  parts,  I  returned 
homewards,    and  went  to  the  Narrows  that  night, 
but  could  not  get  over;  next  morning  early  eroded 
the  ferry,  when  there  was  a  great  fwcil,  occafioned 
by  the  dormy  weather  in  the  evening  and  night 
before,    and  having  now  no  wind  were  obliged  to 

row 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        Gj 

row  the  boat  over;  in  the  paffage  I  remembred, 
that  in  croffing  this  ferry  when  coming  on  this  vifit, 
I  thought  myfelf  never  much  poorer,  having  only  a 
fecret  hope  and  truft  in  the  holy  arm  of  Power,  and 
being  now  inwardly  fenfible  of  my  own  wcaknefs, 
I  had  to  acknowledge  that  I  went  not  forth  on  this 
embafly  in  my  own  will  and  flrength,  and  therefore 
craved  only,  that  my  blelTed  Lord  and  mailer  would 
blot  out  mine  offences,  and  yet  enable  me  fo  to  walk 
in  humble  obedience  the  relidue  of  my  time,  as  to 
be  favoured  with  the  anfwer  of  well  done  at  the  con- 
clufion;  and  knowing  the  nature  and  treachery  of 
felf,  did  not  want  to  be  intruded  with  much  reward 
at  prefent,  choofmg  rather,  that  the  Lord  in  his  in- 
finite wifdom  and  mercy,  Ihould  deal  out  to  me  my 
daily  bread  according  to  his  own  pleafure,  /  paffed 
over  this  Jordan  with  my  Jiaff  and  now  I  am  become 
two  bands ^  was  the  faying  of  Jacob  Gen,  xxxii.  lo. 
As  this  faying  of  the  good  Patriarch  came  frefh  in 
my  mind,  I  thought,  that  altho*  I  could  not  fee 
myfelf  much  increafed  in  heavenly  treafure,  I  came 
poor,  and  had  only  the  ftaff  of  Faith  to  lean  upon, 
yet  I  had  to  blefs  the  Lord  that  he  was  now  pleafed 
to  favour  me  with  the  fame  ftaff  in  my  return,  on 
the  never  failing  ftrength  whereof,  I  might  with 
fafety  evermore  rely,  and  in  holy  rehgnation  I  had 
to  praife  his  worthy  name.  I  proceeded  with  my 
friend  Caleb  Pvaper  to  Burlington,  where  we  parted 
in  much  love  and  nearnefs,  in  which  we  had  travel- 
led together,  I  reached  home  about  v/heat  harveil:, 
and  found  my  dear  wife  and  family  well. 

I  went  not  much  abroad  the  refiduc  of  this  fum- 
rner,  and  the  year  following;  but  was  careful  to  at- 
tend our  own  and  many  neighbouring  meetings, 
alfo  monthly,  quarterly  and  yearly-meetings  in  this 
and  the  adjacent  province,  fome  bufmefs  of  a  pub- 
lic nature,  together  with  my  owiY  circumflances, 
iieceffarily  engaged  me  for  feveral  years,  in  which 

time. 


68         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

time,  viz,  in  the  fpring  of  the  year  1745,  my  deat 
wife  having  drawings  in  her  mind  to  vifit  the  meet- 
ings of  friends  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  North 
Carohna,  obtained  a  certificate  of  the  unity  of  friends 
with  her,  to  travel  in  that  fervice  with  Jane  Hoikins 
of  Cheller;  and  in  the  fame  yearl  was  nominated 
with  feveral  other  friends  to  vifit  the  families  be- 
longing to  our  monthly-meeting,  which  being  large 
and  many  friends  living  at  a  diitance,  was  a  labori- 
Qus  work,  'and  not  fully  peiormed  until  ihe  fall  of 
the  year  1747,  when  account  was  given  that  the 
fervice  was  perfected  to  a  good  degree  of  fatisfa6li- 
on.  '  In  the  winter  following,  I  had  it  on  my  mind 
to  vifit  all  the  families  of  the  particular  meeting  of 
Newark  near  Brandy  wine,  who  feemed  to  be  in  a 
declining  fta-te  as  to  religion,  having  dropped  their 
week  day  meeting,  and  often  much  negleded  to 
attend  their  lirfl  day  meeting,  many  of  the  elderly 
friends  being  deceafed,  and  their  children  almoft 
turned  to  the  world,  and  united  to  the  fpirit,  plea- 
fures,  and  paftimcs  thereof;  my  brother  W'"'*  Brown,, 
and  his  wife,  and  mine  were  with  me  on  this  fervice, 
and  great  plainnefs  was  ufed  in  opening  to  many 
particulars  the  caufe  of  their  declenfion,  and  as  tlie 
love  of  truth  engaged  me  in  the  fervice,  I  had 
peace  and  fatisfadion,  and  thofe  vifited  feemed  to. 
receive  the  vifit  kindly. 

'"  In  the  fpring  of  the  year  1748,  I  felt  drawings 
in  my  mind  to  vifit  fome  families  of  friends  in 
Philadelphia,  of  which  I  acquainted  my  brethren 
at  home,  and  having  their  concurrence,  in  the 
fourth  month  I  joined  with  fome  friends  in  the  city 
who  were  fometime  before  appointed  to  the  fervice, 
and  we  went  in  much  love  from  houfe  to  houfe, 
the  Lord,,  by  his  good  prefence,  being  with  us  to 
our  mutual  comfort;  and  as  I  attended  to  the  draw- 
ings of  truth,  I  found  a  concern  to  go  to  the  mayor 
of  the  city  (accompanied  by  my  good  friend  Ifrael 
*"  Pei^=. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        69 

Pembcrton  the  elder,)  and  was  engaged  to  lay  be- 
fore him  the  nature  of  his  office  as  a  magiftrate, 
and  exhorted  him  to  take  care  that  he  bore  not  the 
fword  in  vain,  but  put  the  laws  in  execution  againfl 
evil  doers,  fuch  as  drunkards,  profane  fwearers,  &c. 
and  to  be,  in  his  authority,  a  terror  to  the  v/icked, 
and  an  encourager  of  them  that  do  well;  he  was 
loving-  and  tender,  and  expreifed  his  fatisfaction 
with  the  vifit. 

While  I  was  in  the  city,  the  Governor  called  or 
fummoned  the  members  of  Affembly  together,  and 
in  preffing  terms   laid   beiore   them  the  detencelefs 
ftate  of   Pennfylvania,    in  order  to  prevail  with  the 
houfe  to  grant  a  fum  of  money  to  itation  a  fhip  of 
force  at  Delaware  capes,  alfo  to  encourage  the  build- 
ing a  battery  below  the  city,  which  was  began  fome- 
time  before  by  fublcription,  but  likely  to  be  too  hea- 
vy for  the  undertakers ;  one  night  as  I  lay  in  my  bed, 
it  came  very  weightily  upon  me  to  go  to  the  houfe 
of  afl'embly,   and  lay  before  the   members  thereof 
the  danger  of  departing  from  trufting  in  that  divine 
arm  of  power  which  had  hitherto  proteded  the  In- 
habitants of  our  land  in  peace  and  fafety;  the  con- 
cern relied  on  me  feveral  days,  which  occafioned 
me  with  earnefl  breathings  to  feek  the  Lord,  that 
if  this  was  a  motion  from  him,  he  would  be  pleafed 
to  direct  my  fteps  therein,  fo  that  I  might  be  pre- 
ferved  from  giving  juft  caufe  of  oifence  to  any,  for 
it  feemed  to   be   a  very  difficult  time;  many,  even 
of  our  fociety,    declaring  their  willingnefs  that  a 
fum  of  money  fhould  be  given  to  the  King,  to  ihew 
our  loyalty  to  him,    and  that  they  were  willing  to 
part  with  their  fubflance  for  his  ufe,  tho'  as  a  peo- 
ple, we  had  a  teilimony  to  bear  againfl  all  outward 
wars  and  fightings;    I  made  no  man  privy  to  my 
concern  until  a  week  had  near  paffed;  when  one 
morning  it  became  fo  heavy  upon  me,  that  I  wxnt 
to  the  houfe  of  an  intimate  friend,  who  being  juft 
up  invited  me  to  come  in,  and  as  we  fat  together. 


70        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

he  had  a  fcnfe  that  fomething  of  weight  was  upon 
me,  and  afked  if  I  was  concerned  about  the  affem- 
bly;  whereupon  I  afked  him,  if  he  ever  knew  of 
iny  friends  going  to  the  aiTembly  with  a  concern  to 
fpeak  to  them?  he  anfwercd  nay,  adding,  "  but  I 
"  have  often  wondered  that  thev  have  not,  for  I 
"  have  underftood  that  it  was  formerly  a  common 
"  practice  for  them  to  fit  in  filence  a  while,  like 
"  folcmn  wprOiip,  before  they  proceeded  to  do 
"  buiinefs."  I  told  him,  that  1  had  it  on  my  mind 
to  go  to  the  houfe  that  morning  and  ilrould  be  glad 
of  fuitable  company;  he  directed  me  to  one  whom 
he  thought  fuch,  and  I  immediately  went  to  him 
and  acquainted  him  with  my  concern;  but  as  I 
fpake,  I  felt  that  I  had  better  go  alone,  and  there- 
fore told  him,  that  if  he  did  not  feel  clear  and  eafy 
to  go  with  me,  I  advifed  him  to  ftay;  he  replied 
*'  thy  way  is  before  thee,  but  I  believe  1  muft  not 
go:"  I  therefore  returned  to  my  friend,  who  did 
not  difcourage  nie,  tho'  I  had  no  company;  being 
preffed  In  mind,  I  went  direclly  to  the  State-houfe 
before  I  took  breakfafl,  and  got  there  juil  as  the 
foeaker,  T.  K.  was  ^roinor  in,  I  beckoned  to  him  and 
he  came  to  me;  I  told  him  I  wanted  to  be  admitted 
into  the  houfe,  for  I  thought  I  had  fomething  to 
fay  to  them  which  feemed  to  me  of  importance;  he 
faid,  it  was  a  critical  time,  and  they  had  a  difficult 
affair  before  them,  and  queried,  whether  I  had  not 
better  wait  until  the  houfe  parted,  and  another 
member  being  near,  faid,  he  thought  it  v/ould  be 
bed,  and  lefs  liable  to  give  offence,  for  there  were 
divers  members  not  of  our  fociety,  and  iF  I  would 
wait  until  the  houfe  broke  up,  they  would  inform 
all  the  members  that  were  friends,  and  did  not 
doubt  thev  would  be  willing  to  give  me  an  oppor- 
tunity to  inform  them  Vv'hat  was  on  my  mind.  I 
told  them,  that  v;ould  give  me  no  relief,  for  I  had 
a  particular  defire  that  thofe  members  who  v;ere  not 

of 


-  OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        71 

of  our  fociety  fliould  be  prefent ;  believing  that  it 
would  be  better  for  them  to  hear  and  judge  for 
themfelves  than  to  have  it  at  fecond  hand,  as  it 
might  be  diflercntly  reprefented;  at  v/hich  they  were 
a  little  filent ;  then  I  requefted  the  fpeaker  that  he 
^vould  go  in  and  inform  the  members,  that  a  coun- 
try man  v;as  in  waiting  who  had  a  defire  to  be  ad- 
mitted, having  fomething  to  communicate  to  them, 
and  if  they  refufed  he  would  be  clear;  he  readily 
and  aff^clionately  anfwered  he  would,  and  foon 
brought  me  word  that  they  vv^ere  willing.  There 
was  a  great  awe  over  my  mind  when  I  went  in^ 
which  I  thought  in  fome  meafure  fpread,  and  pre- 
vailed over  the  members  beyond  my  expeclation, 
after  a  fiience  of  perhaps  ten  or  twelve  minutes, 
I  felt  as  though  all  fear  of  man  was  taken  away, 
and  my  mind  influenced  to  'addrefs  them  in  fub- 
ftance  after  the  following  manner. 

My  Country-men^' and  fellow  Subjects^  Reprefentatives 
of  the  hihabitants  of  this  Frovince^ 


UNDER,  an  apprehenfion  of  the  difEculties 
before  you,  I  feel  a  flrong  fympathy  with 
you,  and  have  to  remind  you  of  a  juft  and  true 
faying  of  a  great  minider  of  Jefus  Chrift  in  his 
day,  The  powers  that  be^  are  ordained  of  God, 
Now  if  men  in  power  and  authority,  in  whatfo- 
ever  ftation,  would  feek  unto  God  (who  will  be 
a  fpirit  of  judgment  to  them  that  fit  in  judgment) 
for  wifdom  and  counfel  to  acl  fingly  for  him 
that  ordained  the  power,  and  permitted  them  to 
be  (lationed  therein,  that  they  fnould  be  his  mi- 
"  niflers;  fuch  will  be  a  blefiing  under  God  to 
"  themfelves  and  their  country;  but  if  thofe  in 
"  authority  do  fuffer  their  own  fears  and  the  per- 
'•  fuafions  of  others,  to  prevail  \yith  them  to  ne- 
"  gleet  fuch  attention,  and  fo  make,  or  enacl  laws 

'•  in 


^2         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

in  order  to  their  own  proteftion  and  defence  by 
carnal  weapons  and  fortifications,  flyled  human 
prudence,  he  who  is  fuperintendant,  by  with- 
*'  drawing  the  arm  of  his  power,  may  permit  thofd 
*'  evils  they  feared  to  come  fuddenly  upon  them^ 
«*  and  that  in  his  heavy  difpeafure.  May  it  with 
gratitude  be  ever  remembred  how  remarkably 
we  have  been  preferved  in  peace  and  tranquillity 
for  more  than  fifty  years!  no  invafion  by  foreign 
"  enemies,  and  the  treaties  of  peace  with  the 
*'  natives,  wifely  began  by  our  worthy  proprietor 
*^'  William  Penn,  preferved  inviolate  to  this  day." 

"  Tho'  you  now  reprefent,  and  aft  for  a  mixed 
*'  people  of  various  denominations  as  to  Religion; 
*'  yet  remember  the  Charter  is  the  fame  as  at  firfl; 
*'  beware  therefore  of  acling  to  opprefs  tender  Conf- 
*'  ciences,  for  there  are  many  of  the  Inhabitants 
*'  whom  you  now  reprefent,  that  ftill  hold  forth  the 
*'  fame  religious  principles  with  their  predeceflbrs, 
*'  who  were  fome  of  the  firft  adventurers  into  this, 
"  at  that  time  wildernefs  land,  who  would  be  great- 
*'  ly  grieved  to  fee  warlike  preparations  carried  on, 
"  and  encouraged  by  a  law  confented  to  by  their 
*'  brethren  in  profeffion,  or  others,  contrary  to  the 
"  Charter,  dill  confcientioufly  concluding,  that  the 
**  reverent  and  true  fear  of  God,  with  and  humble 
"  truft  in  his  ancient  arm  of  Power,  would  be  our 
*'  greatefl:  defence  and  fafety;  and  they  who  hold 
"  different  principles  and  are  fettled  in  this  govern- 
*^  ment,  can  have  no  juft  caufe  of  reflexion  if  war- 
*'  like  meafures  are  forborne,  becaufe  they  knew 
*'  the  Charter  framed,  and  the  peaceable  Conflitu- 
*'  tion,  and  have  ventured  themfelves  therein." 

''  We  may  obferve  by  fundry  laws  enabled  in 
"  Parliament,  when  the  Reformation  was  but  new- 
*'  ly  begun  in  .England  our  mother  country,  there 
*'  leemed  to  be  wifdom  from  above  to  influence 
"  their  minds  ^  may  you  be  rightly  directed  at  this 

"  time. 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         y-^^ 

"  time,  many  of  whom  do  fully  believe  in  the  im- 
"  mediate  influence  of  Chrift,  the  wifdom  of  God, 
"  which  is  truly  profitable  to  direct!  It  is  not  from 
"  difrepccl  to  the  King  or  Government  that  I  Ipeak 
"  after  this  manner,  for  I  am  thankful  in  heart, 
"  that  the  Lord  in  mercy  hath  vouchfafed,  that  the 
"  throne  of  Great  Britain  fnould  be  filled  v/ith  our 
"  prefent  benevolent  Prince,  King  George  the  fe» 
'^  cond;   may  his  reign  be  long  and  happy  1" 

I  acknowledged  their  kindnefs  in  hearing  me  w^ith 
fo  much  patience,  and  taking  leave,  withdrew; 
feveral  members  followed  me  out  and  exprefled 
their  fatisfaction  in  an  alTedionate  manner  with  my 
vifit;  and  embracing  each  other,  we  parted  in  a 
fenfe  of  the  love  and  power  of  Chrifl  [efus  our 
Lord,  who,  with  the  Father,  is  worthy  of  ail  thankf- 
giving  and  praife  for  ever  and  ever. 

After  my  fervice  in  Philadelphia  was  over,  I  re- 
turned home  with  peace  and  fatisfadion,  and  went 
not  much  abroad  fave  to  our  quarterly  and  yearly- 
meetings,  until  the  fpring  following  in  the  year 
1749,  when  I  went  with  Michael  Lightfoot  to  the 
yearly-meeting  at  Weft-river  in  Maryland,  in  which 
journey,  the  weather  being  hot  and  fome  weaknefs 
of  body  attending,  it  threw  me  into  a  ilrong  fever 
and  a  ftoppage  in  my  bread,  that  it  was  with  fome 
difliculty  I  got  home,  and  continued  without  any 
amendment  a  confiderable  time;  and  one  evening 
as  I  was  preparing  for  bed,  an  impofthume  broke, 
which  I  fuppofe  was  on  my  lights  becaufe  it  came 
up  my  windpipe,  almoll  ilrangiing  me  for  a  confi- 
derable time,  that  I  expelled  I  was  near  expiring, 
but  felt  a  refignation  in  this  trying  time  beyond  my 
expedlation,  whicli  I  took  to  be  a  great  favour  from 
the  Lord;  there  is  no  fupport  like  the  light  of  his 
countenance.  I  continued  bleeding  more  or  lefs 
many  days,  but  gradually  mended.  In  the  eighth 
month  being  pretty  well  recovered,  in  much  love 

L  I  felt 


74        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

I  felt  drawings  in  my  mind  to  vifit  fome  meetings 
in  the  back  parts  of  Chefter,  Philadelphia,  and 
Bucks  counties,  and  part  of  New-Jerfey,  and  laying 
my  concern  before  my  friends  had  their  concur- 
rence, and  was  accompanied  by  my  kinfman  Jofhua 
Brown  through  moll  of  the  journey;  our  firft  ap- 
pointed meeting  was  at  Radnor,  in  which  truth 
owned  our  fervice  in  a  good  degree,  and  paffing 
over  Schuylkill  went  to  Plymouth,  North-wales, 
Skippack,  and  New-providence,  which  lail  meeting 
for  want  of  more  careful  notice  was  very  fmall,  and 
Fiot  being  eaiy  in  my  mind,  I  had  a  fmgular  free- 
dom to  let  them  know,  that  I  would  endeavour  to 
be  at  that  place  again  on  the  fecond  day  following, 
and  lliould  be  glad  they  womd  pleaie  to  give  full 
notice  thereof,  and  having  a  flrong  draught  in  my 
mind  to  turn  back  to  North-wales,  I  went  the  fame 
evening  to  Robert  Jones's  at  Skippack,  and  next 
day  to  fee  a  friend  who  had  been  a  long  time  in- 
difpofed,  with  whom  we  had  a  good  opportunity, 
which  I  believe  was  of  advantage  to  the  friend, 
through  the  goodnefs  and  mercy  of  the  blelfed  iliep- 
herd  of  Ifrael;  1  alfo  vifited  two  other  friends,  and 
we  w^ere  comforted  together  in  the  renewing  of 
heavenly  goodnefs;  and  on  firll  day  w^as  at  North- 
wales  meeting,  which  was  large  and  fatisfa^lory, 
and  at  Providence  again  on  fecond  day,  where 
friends  generally  met,  and  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
clear  myfelf  in  a  particular  manner;  then  went  to 
Evanses  meeting  by  the  fide  of  Schuylkill,  and  had 
a  meeting  the  fame  evening  at  the  houfe  of  Thomas 
May,  both  which  w-ere  to  fome  fatisfaclion ;  after- 
wards went  to  Maiden-creek,  Exeter,  and  Rich- 
land, and  from  thence  over  Delaware  to  Kingwood, 
and  vifited  the  meetings  in  Burlington,  Gloucefter, 
and  Salem  Counties  as  far  down  as  Greenwich, 
and  returnd  homewards  by  Haddonfield,  from 
whence  in  my  going  down,    my  kinfman  Jofhua 

Brown 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        75 

Brown  left  me  and  went  home;  I  called  to  vifit 
Hannah  Cooper,  whofe  hufband  had  not  long  been 
dead,  fhe  feemed  under  afflidtion  of  body  and 
mind;  I  felt  a  near  fympathy  with  her,  and  tho' 
we  did  not  converie  much  together,  yet  in  the 
owning  love  of  him  who  is  a  friend  to  the  afflidcd, 
we  were  mutually  comforted;  fhe  exprelTed  her  fa- 
tisfaction  in  a  tender  manner,  faying  that  foon  after 
I  came  her  exercife  was  lightened,  and  fhe  was  re- 
frefhed  in  a  fenfe  of  the  kindnefs  of  the  Lord,  in 
affording  a  fympathy  and  inward  feeling  to  the  chil- 
dren of  his  family;  my  foul  was  humbled  in  reve- 
rent thankfulnefs  to  him  the  author  of  all  good, 
who  is  praife  worthy  for  ever.  In  the  morning  I 
had  a  pafTage  over  Delaware  about  the  tenth  hour, 
which  by  reafon  of  ice  had  not  been  pafTable  ior 
feveral  days  before;  tarrying  in  Philadelphia  that 
night,  I  went  next  day  to  Derby  meeting,  and  the 
day  following  got  well  home,  and  found  my  dear 
wife  and  family  well. 

On  my  leaving  home  to  perform  this  vifit,  I  felt 
great  inward  weaknefs,  and  in  going  from  meeting 
to  meeting,  frequent  humbling  baptifms  attended, 
in  which  the  prefent  ftate  of  the  church  was  feen, 
and  the  conditions  of  many  fpoken  to  in  the  love 
of  truth,  which  made  me  often  think  that  it  feemed 
like  a  farev/eil  vifit,  at  leaft  for  a  long  time. 

I  may  now  make  a  remark  which  I  hope  will  not 
be  improper  or  unprofitable.  As  I  palfed  along  in 
this  vifit,  I  obferved  fome  people  would  earneftly 
prefs  me  to  go  home  with  them,  and  would  fay 
they  w^ould  not  take  it  kind  if  I  did  not,  and  friends 
did  not  ufe  to  ferve  them  fo,  that  is,  pafs  by  them ; 
yet  I  thought  there  was  not  much  of  the  innocent 
fweetnefs  of  truth  to  be  felt  at  their  houfes,  or  even 
about  them;  tho*  they  would  fay,  why!  thou  haft 
hit  the  nail  on  the  head,  there  is  juft  fuch  people 
among  us  as  thou  haft  fpoken  of  j  and  feemed  as 

to 


76        T.HE    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

to  themielve?,   fafe  and  cafy,    when  perhaps  their, 
religion   lay   much  in  thinking,  that  good  friends 
xiicYC  l^miiiar  with  them  and  thought  well  of  them; 
I  alfo  took  notice  of   another  fort,  who  tho*  they 
were  not  fond  of  having  friends  to  go  with  them, 
would  fpeak  well  of '  their  fervice,  and  deal  it  out 
liberally  to  others  in  a  cenforious  manner,  and  not 
look,  on  themfelves  with  a  true  profped  which  would 
have  led  them   to  fmite  on  their  own  breaiiis,  with. 
2c  feeling,  fnort  prayer,  rather  than  apprehend  them-:, 
felves  better  than  others,  when  perhaps  coveteoufnefs 
and  a  worldly  fpirit  had  almofb  deftroyed  charity j 
which  is  the  fure  produ6l  of  trufe  religion;  a  third 
fort,  .  I  beheld  humbled  and  bowed,  uhofe' words 
were  few,    and  would  frequently  if  they  faid  any- 
thing, lament  the  ft  ate  of  the  fociety,  and  fpeak  of 
their  own  weaknefs,    and  fear  left  thfey  Ihould  not 
walk  in  the  uprightnefs  of  truth  before  their  own 
famihes  and  the  church,  the  dew  refted  on  them^  in 
their  humble  fituation ;  I  was  thankful  in  the  fenfe - 
i  had,  that  there  were  fome  few  of  thefe  in  almoft 
every  meeting,    and  I  had  a  firm  belief,  that  fome 
among  the  youth  were  under^the  hatid  of  the  great 
preparer  of   men  for  his  own  work;  thefe  children^ 
are  moftly  modeft  and  diffident  of  themfelves,  fni- 
cerely  affeftionate,    not  over  forward  or  fondling, 
but  lovers  of  truth  in  heart,  to  whom  I  felt  great 
nearnefs  of  fpirit,    believing  they  would  grow  in 
the  root  of  Life;  I  beheld  fome  other's  among  the 
vouth,    whom  I  feared  had  too  great  a  delight  to 
live  on  the  labours  of  others,  who  neverthelefs  had 
been  favoured  with  the  reaches  of    divine   Love, 
but  for  want  of  dwelling  deep  and  humble  with  the 
pure  witnefs  in  themfelves,  ran  out  in  the  aftedidn- 
ate  part,  and  were  greatly  delighted  to  hear  truth's 
teftimony,    and    valued    inftruments    according  to 
their  own  liking;  thefe,  tho'  they  appear  as  goodly 
flowers,  for  want  of  an  humble  abode  in  the  vine, 

do 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        77 

do  fometimes  wither  away  as  grafs  on  the  houfe 
top.  Jf  yoii  love  me^  keep  my  commandments^  was 
a  precept  of  our.  holy  Lord  and  Mafter;  to  keep 
his  commandments  we  mud  inwardly  dwell  with 
his  grace  in  our  hearts,  by  which  the  law  of  the 
fpirit  of  life  is  known  and  underRood,  by  the  en- 
lightening and  everlailing  fure  word  of  Prophecy, 
which  will  privately  interpret,  and  fecretly  iliew  to 
every  man  his  duty,  and  the  calling  of  God.  and- 
abilitate  to  abide  therein,  and  his  law  is  light  and 
his  commandment  as  a  lamp  to  the  feet  of  his  peo- 
ple for  ever. 

As  I  fat  in  a  week  day  meeting  in  the  winter 
(1748,)  which  was  held  in  a  private  houfe,  (our 
meeting  houfe  being  burnt  fometime  before;)  I  felt 
great  weaknefs  and  poverty  attending  my  m/md, 
which  occafioncd  a  deep  inquiry  into  the  caufe; 
and  after  a  time  of  inward  waiting,  the  humbhng 
divine  prefence  was  felt  in  reverent  profound  filence, 
yet  the  gentle  operation  of  the  divine  power  caufed 
a  fecret  inward  trembling,  and  the  following  was 
uttered  in  a  language  intelligent  to  the  inward  man, 
gather  thy  [elf  from  all  the  ciunbers  of  the  worlds  and 
he  thou  weaned  from  the  popularity^  love^  and  friend- 
fhip  thereof  I  believed  this  to  be  the  voice  of  the 
holy  one  of  Ifrael,  as  a  merciful  warning  to  pre- 
pare for  my  final  change,  or  to  ftand  ready  for 
fume  fervice  which  would  feparate  me  from  tempo- 
ral bufinefs  and  the  nearefl  connexions  in  life;  and 
from  that  time  I  endeavoured  to  fettle  my  affairs, 
and  contra6l  my  little  bufmefs  as  well  as  I  could. 
In  the.  fummer  following  I  met  with  an  unexpected 
trial,  for  without  my  knowledge  my  name  was  put 
in  the  new  commiiiion  fo^  juflices  of  the  peace,  aird 
endeavours  were  ufed  to  perfuade  me  to  be  quali- 
fied in  order  to  aft  in  that  flation,  and  fome  of  my 
particular  friends  told  me  it  feemed  providential, 
and  they  thought  it  was'  my  place  to  accept  there- 

of. 


';8        The    LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

of,  as  I  might  be  helpful  by  way  of  example  to 
fome  in  the  commiffion  who  were  friends;  for  a 
{fiort  time  I  was  exceedingly  flraitened,  but  my  eye 
being  fixed  on  the  Lord  for  counfel,  it  pleafed  him 
in  great  condefcention  once  more  to  revive  the  fen- 
tence  before  mentioned,  gather  thy f elf  from  all  the 
cumbers  of  the  worlds  &c.  which  to  me  fettled  the 
point,  and  I  became  eafy  in  mind,  and  humbly 
thankful  to  my  blelTed  initruclor  who  had  called 
me  for  other  fervice. 

After  my  return  home  from  the  vifit  to  friends 
in  New-Jerfey  before  related,  I  felt  fuch  an  inward 
filence  for  about  two  or  three  weeks,  that  I  thought 
I  had  done  with  the  world,  and  alfo  any  further 
fervice  in  the  church,  and  the  preparing  hint  was 
brought  to  my  mind,  with  thankfulnefs  that  I  had 
endeavoured  in  a  good  degree  to  praclife  it ;  and  one 
day  walking  alone,  I  felt  myfelf  fo  inwardly  weak 
and  feeble,  that  I  flood  ftill,  and  by  the  reverence 
that  covered  my  mind,  I  knew  that  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  on  me  and  his  prefence  round  about,  the 
earth  was  filent  and  all  fiefli  brought  into  flillnefs, 
and  light  went  forth  with  brightnefs,  and  flione  on 
Great  Britain,  Ireland,  and  Holland,  and  my  mind 
felt  the  gentle,  yet  ftrongly  drawing  cords  of  that 
iove  which  is  flronger  than  death,  which  made  me  fay, 
Lord!  go  before^  and  firengthen  me^  and  I  will  follow 
whitherfoever  thou  leads.  1  had  feen  this  journey  near 
fifteen  years  in  a  very  plain  manner,  and  at  times  for 
ten  years,  thought  the  concern  fo  flrong  upon  me 
that  I  muft  lay  it  before  my  friends  for  their  advice; 
but  was  fecretly  reitrained;  being  made  to  believe, 
that  an  exercife  of  that  fort  would  ripen  bed  to  be 
kept  quiet  in  my  own  heart  to  know  the  right  time, 
by  no  means  defiring  to  run  without  being  fent;  to 
fee  a  thing  is  not  a  commilTion  to  do  that  thing;  the 
time  when,  and  judgment  to  know  the  acceptable 
time,  are  the  gifts  of  God.  The  time  I  had  to  pre- 
pare 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        79 

pare  for  the  journey  was  lliort,  and  therefore  thought 
it  was  needful  to  employ  my  time  to  the  bell  advan- 
tage, and  as  I  had  a  defire  to  fee  friends  of  feveral 
particular  meetings,    namely  Bradford,    Weft  and 
Eaft  Cain,  Uvvchland,  Nantmill,  and  Goihen,  my 
fifter  Dinah  James  went  with  me  to  thofe  meetings, 
which  through  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord  were  lo- 
lidly  profitable,    we  had  alfo  a  meeting  at  Henry- 
Hockley's,  near  French  Creek  Iron-works,  which 
was  to  fome  good  fatisfaftion,  and  fo  to  the  quarterly- 
meeting  at  Concord  in  the  twelith  month,  where  I 
met  my  brother  William  Brown,    who  queried  6f 
me  where  I  had  been,  and  what  I  hrA  been  doing? 
I  told  him,  I  had  been  doing  as  he,  and  every  ho- 
neft  man  ought  to  do,    coUecling  little  debts  and 
paying  where  I  owed,    and  endeavouring  to  fettle 
my  affairs ;    for  that  fuch  care  was  necelTary  when 
one  expected  a  great  fum  would  be  immediately 
demanded:    In  a  few  days  after  my  return  from  the 
quarterly-meeting,    I  laid  my  concern  before  our 
preparative  meeting,    in  order  that  friends   might 
have   a  month  to  weigh  and  confider  it  before  I 
fpoke  for  a  certificate ;    for  I  wanted  their  feeling 
concurrence  in    this  weighty  undertaking,    firmly 
believing,    that  my  great  and  good  Mafter  would 
not   require   any  thing  of    me  in  which   my  dear 
friends  could  not  concur,  and  tho'  while  the  power 
of  Truth  was  upon  me,  I  was  made  freely  to  give 
up;  yet  now  home,  and  the  near  affedlion  to  a  dear 
wife,  only  fon,  relations  and  friends,  were  exceed- 
ingly  quick  and  affecting,    and  fomething  in  me 
feemed  to  have  a  choice,    that  my  friends  would 
judge  that  I  was  too  weakly  and  infirm  in  body,  or 
not  otherwife  qualified  for  the  fervice,  and  if  that 
fhould  be  their  mind,  I  thought  I  fliould  be  clear; 
in  the  interval  I  vifited  the  neighbouring  meetings, 
and  carefully  attended  to  the  motion  of  truth  there- 
in: and  in  the  firft  month,  having  the  concurrence 

of 


8o         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

of  the  preparative  meeting,  I  laid  my  concern  be- 
fore the  monthly  meeting,  and  attended  our  gene- 
ral fpring  meeting  at  Philadelphia,  and  my  brother 
W'"*  Brown  having  fpoken  for  a  certificate  oh  the 
like  concern,  it  feemed  pleafant  to  think  of  croffing 
the  Ocean  together,  and  friends  were  for  propofing 
a  paiTage,  and  what  fliip  we  fhould  go  in;  but  I 
felt  a  fecret  prohibition  againfl  being  any  ways  con- 
cerned about  a  paffage  until  I  had  a  certificate,  and 
knew  that  I  was  fully  clear;  fo  returned  home. 
And  having  a  defire  to  fee  friends  in  York  county 
over  Sufquehanna,  I  went  there,  accompanied  by 
my  brother  James  Brown,  to  the  meetings  at  New- 
berry, Warrington,  Huntington,  and  Monallan, 
which  w^ere  moitly  to  a  good  degree  of  fatisfacfion, 
and  in  my  return  being  humble  and  low  in  mind, 
and  ruminating  on  my  European  journey,  which 
was  before  me,  my  fpirit  feemed  to  fmk,  and  my 
affedion  to  my  dear  wife,  and  family,  and  friends 
fo  awakened  upon  me,  that  it  looked  to  me  impof- 
fible  to  part  from  them  and  hve;  but  endeavouring 
to  retire,  blelfed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  the  helper 
of  his  people  1  by  whofe  power  a  filence  was  knowm, 
and  by  a  gentle,  inftrucfive,  inward  voice,  my  at- 
tention was  gained,  and  my  mind  diverted  from 
its  pain  by  the  following  query:  "  Suppofe  thou 
fhouldfl  lend  a  valuable  thing  to  a  neighbour  of 
thine,  to  be  returned  on  demand,  and  thou  fliouldfl 
favour  him  therewith  from  time  to  time,  not  only 
one  year,  but  feven,  and  then  Ihouldft  fee  caufe  to 
demand  it  to  be  refigned;  wouldfl  thou  not  think 
that  neighbour  ungrateful,  if  he  did  not  refign  it 
chearfully,  and  with  thankfulnefs  and  acknowledg- 
ment fuitable  to  thy  kindnefs?''  The  propofitiqn 
demanded  my  affent,  and  my  underftanding  was 
fully  opened  by  the  following  application:  '^  A}\ 
that  thou  enjoyeft  is  mine,  dofl  thou  love  thefe 
things  more  than  me?  if  not,  why  is  it  fo  h?.rd  for 

thee 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         8r 

tliee  to  refign  all  to  follow  me?  which  made  me  cry. 
Lord!  enable  me^  and  I  will  follow  thee,  it  is  only 
by  thy  Jlrengih  I  can  do  it;''  and  by  the  gracious 
goodnefs  of  Chrift,  my  great  and  good  Mafter,  I 
felt  an  humble  refignation  to  his  will,  viho  being 
all  things  to  his  people,  is  worthy  to  be  followed 
and  obeyed  for  ever.  Now  I  was  led  to  believe 
this  was  the  inftruclion  of  tee  blefled  fpirit  to  mc, 
and  as  I  had  much  comfort  and  fatisfaclion  thereby, 
I  am  free  to  leave  it  as  a  hint,  that  others  under 
trials  of  what  kind  fo  ever,  may  be  encouraged 
to  look  unto  him  for  help,  who  is  the  Lord,  migh- 
ty to  fave,  and  able  to  deliver  to  the  uttermofl  all 
who  fmcerely  truil  in  him. 

I  returned  home,  and  my  certificafe  being  figned 
in  the  fecond  month,  attended  our  quarterly  meet- 
ing at  Concord  in  the  third  month,  and  went  to 
Philadelphia  to  fee  for  a  palTage,  and  with  my  bro- 
ther W.  B.  found  one  to  our  liking  and  to  the  fa- 
tisfa6lion  of  friends,  which  we  alfo  valued ;  I  then 
returned  home,  waiting  until  the  fnip  was  near 
ready  to  fail,  and  during  that  time  vifited  feveral' 
neigh boiiritig  meetings,  taking  leave  of  my  neio-h- 
bours  and  friends ;  and  on  the  firfl  day  of  the  fourth 
month  (1750,)  taking  leave  of  my  dear  Vv-ife  and 
aged  mother,  I  left  home  before  fun  rife,  and  went 
to  Philadelphia  that  night,  fpent  the  next  day  in 
vifiting  fome  of  my  acquaintance,  and  on  the  ^rixit 
of  the  week  attended  three  meetings ;  in  the  morn- 
ing at  the  Bank,  which  v/as  a  fatisfaclory  good 
meeting,  wherein  friends  where  exhorted  to  attend 
on  the  gift  of  God,  for  inftruftion  and  ability  to 
perform  every  good  word  and  work,  and  in  the  af- 
ternoon and  evening  at  the  High,  or  Market- fireet 
houfe,  which  tho'  not  quite  fo  open  as  the  other, 
were  in  the  main  folid  good  meetings. 


M  CHAP, 


iz        Th£    life    and    travels 

CHAP.     IV. 

His  Vijit  to  Great  Britain^  Ireland  and  Holland^ 
from  the  Year   1750  to   1754,    iv'ith  divers 
Ohfervations   on   the    State  of  our  Religions 
Society  in  the  coiirje  of  his  Travels, 

ON  the  fourth  day  of  the  fourth  month  (1750) 
being  the  fecond  of  the  week,  we  left  Phila- 
delphia, accompanied  by  feveral  of  our  relations  and 
friends  to  Chefter,  and  went  on  board  the  fhip 
Carolina,  Stephen  Mefnard  commander,  (bound  for 
London,)  whe^e  my  brother  W""  Brov/n  and  myfelf 
took  leave  of  them;  and  palling  down  Dela^Aare, 
went  out  to  fea  in  the  afternoon  of  the  fixth  of  the 
fame  month,  and  had  a  good  paflage,  in  which  I 
was  not  fea  fick,  tho'  my  brother  was  mod  of  the 
time.  We  landed  at  Dover  on  the  fixth  of  the 
fifth  month,  being  jufl  five  weeks  from  the  time  I 
left  my  own  houfe,  and  we  had  to  rejoice  with 
humble  thankfulnefs,  that,  during  the  paiTage,  we 
were  careful  to  keep  our  meetings  in  the  great  Ca- 
bin twice  a  week,  in  which  we  felt  the  prefence  of 
our  great  Lord  and  Mafter,  and  therein  were  com- 
forted. On  the  day  we  landed  we  had  a  meeting 
at  Dover  to  good  fatisfaclion,  then  took  pafTage  ii> 
a  ftage  coach  to  Canterbury  the  fame  evening,  and 
lodged  at  William  Patterfon's,  who  entertained  us 
very  kindly;  relied  there  on  feventh  day,  and  on 
firfl  day  fat  with  friends  in  their  morning  and  after- 
noon meetings  to  fome  fatisfadion ;  tho'  I  had  little 
to  fay  to  them,  I  thought  there  was  a  tender  people 
in  that  city  and  W.  B.  had  an  open  time ;  next  morn- 
ing taking  our  palfage  in  a  ftage  coach,  we  reached 
London  the  fame  evening,  and  continued  in  and 
about  the  city  until  the  twenty -firfl  of  the  fixth 

month. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        85 

month,   in  which  time  I  wrote  divers  letters  to  my 
wife    and    particular    friends  in  Pennfylvania,  and 
was  feveral  times  at  each  of  the  meetings  in  the 
city,  in  which  1  fat  moftly  filent,  under  a  great  ex- 
ercife  of  mind  from  a  fenfe  of  a  too  forward  niinif- 
try,  which  rather  difturbed  the  folemn  quiet  thereof 
than   miniflred   in(lru6lion   to  the  humble  waiting 
children,    of  which  number  I  thought  there  were 
many  in  that  city ;  tho'  it  feemed  delightful  to  thofe 
who  loved  to  hear  words  eloquently  delivered,  and 
to  have  the  itching  ear  pleafed,  yet  in  heart  were  li- 
bertines, and  in  pradice  disorderly  walkers.  I  fome- 
times  thought,  that  my  filent  fitting  was  fo  ordered 
for  an  example  to  others  for  a  more  fteady  waiting 
in  their  own  gifts,  to  know  life  to  arife  into  domi- 
nion in  meetings,  my  exercife  increafed  fo,  that  my 
lleep  feemed  to  depart  from  me,  and  I  remained  as 
one  fealed  up  as  to  miniftry,    nor  had  I  freedom 
to  go  from  houfe  to  houfe  to  dine,   or  to  make 
many  acquaintance,    I  was   therefore  cenfured  by 
fome  as  fingular  and  narrow;  at  length  I  felt  great 
enlargement  of  heart  towards  other  focieties,  tho' 
my  moufflr  was  ihut  towards  our  own,    and  for  a 
time,    it  feemed  as  if  I  mufl  go  and  have  meetings 
among  thofe  who  did  not  profefs  with  us;  and  one 
day,    as  I  was  walking  towards  Ratcliff  Fields  for 
the   air,    a  draught  of   affection   flowed  fo  ftrong 
towards  fome  in  high  (lations  in  government,  that 
I  concluded,  that  I  muil  declare  the  way  of  life  and 
falvation    through    Chrifl    Jefus   our    Lord  among 
them,    feeling  a  greater  openncfs  that  way  than  to 
friends;  but  making  a  (land,    I  fecretly  cried,  ah 
Lord!    what  then  will  become  of  the  family  whom 
thou  dreweft  me  hither  to  vifit;  then,  after  a  little 
while,  that   charge  came  into  my  mind  very  frefh, 
Mat.  X.   ^'6,  Go  not  into  the  way  of  the  Gentiles^  and 
into  any  city  of  the  Samaritans  enter  yc  not;  but  go 
rather  to  the  loji  fheep  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael^  which 

brought 


S4        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

brouglu  great  fweetnefs,  and  an  increafing  heart- 
yearning  for  and  love  to  the  houfliold,  and  made 
me  acknowledge,  good  art  thou  oh  I  Lord  God,  for 
thy  mercies  endure  for  ever  and  ever,  and  I  remem- 
bred  that  Nehemiah  quietly  viewed  the  (late  of  Je- 
rufalem  by  night,  and  faw,  that  if  I  had  any  fervice 
to  do  in  London,  the  time  for  it  was  not  yet;  cqme; 
I  alfo  remembred  what  came  into  my  mind  at  the 
fecond  meeting  I  was  in  after  my  landing,  in  which 
I  had  but  a  few  fentences  to  fpeak,  and  the  motion 
of  hfe  ceafed,  and  I  fat  dowm,  as  J  have  alway$ 
found  it  fafe  to  do,  and  felt  inward  poverty  ancj' 
\veaknefs,  yet  a  quiet  and  attentive  mind;  but  my 
brother  W.  B.  had  good  fervice,  and  an  open  time 
among  the  people,  at  which  I  did  admire,  and  faid 
in  my  heart;  he  is  fit  to  be  fent  abroad;  but  alas! 
I  am  one  of  the  meanell  fervant?  that  was  ever  fent 
over  the  fea  to  preach  the  gofpel ;  when  this  gentle 
caution  came  before  me;  ?nind  thy  own  biifinefs^  and 
he  faithful  in  thy  gift^  thou  haft  a  grcai  journey  before 
ihee  and  thy  fiore  is  fmall ;  live  therefore  frugal ly^ 
and  fpend  carefully^  and  covet  not  another^^  and  thou 
fhalt  not^  ivant  what  is  convenient  for  W^fe^f-t  ^^^^ 
fomething  to  [pare  to  the  needy :  Whereupon  I  defired 
with  an  humble  heart,  to  be  preferved  in  patience 
and  meeknefs,  becoming  a  difciple  of  my  great 
Lord  and  Mafler,  and  therein  to  wait  for  renewed 
inflru6tion  and  ability,  to  labour  in  mine  own  gift 
•without  repining,  however  fmali. 

In  a  few  days  I  felt  fome  opennefs  towards  the 
Well  of  England,  and  informed  my  brother  W.  B. 
thereof,  who,  after  a  little  paufe,  told  me  that  his 
Avay  opened  Eaflw^ard;  on  fome  confideration  oi 
the  matter,  we  concluded  it  was  bed  for  each  of  us 
to  mind  the  pointings  of  truth,  tho'  in  fome  crofs 
to  our  own  wills;  for  this  profpecc  feenied  to  part 
us ;  and  if  we  fhould  endeavour  to  go  together  for 
a  time,,  and  then  part,  fome  might  judge  there  was 

a  dif- 


QF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         85 

a  dlflike,  or  want  of  unity  between  us,  and  on  com- 
muning  with  fome  of  our  friends,  they  were  of  the 
fame  mind;  fo  we  refigned,  and  in  much  love  and 
affedlon  took  leave  of  each  other. 

Underllanding  there  was  an  yearly-meeting  to  be 
held  in  Somerfetfhire  for  feveral  of  the  Weftern 
counties,  and  having  fome  drawings  to  attend  it, 
I  left  London  on  the  twenty-firfl  of  the  fixth  month 
in  company  with  my  friend  John  Hunt,  at  whole 
houfe  I  lodged,  and  John  Pemberton  who  came 
over  fea  with  us  on  account  of  his  health,  and  ha4 
51  meeting  that  day  at  Stains,  which  was  pretty  good 
and  open,  the  next  at  Bafmgftoke,  and  fo  on  to 
Salifbury,  and  Shaftfhury,  the  two  lafi  being  dull 
meetings,  which  is  often  the  cafe  where  friends  are 
not  careful  to  live  near  to  truth,  and  reached  to 
Ivelchefler,  the  place  where  the  yearly-meeting  be- 
gan, on  feventh  day  in  the  evening  the  twenty-fifth 
of  the  month ;  on  firfl  day  we  had  two  meetings  in 
the  Town  Hall,  and  many  people  being  there, 
meetings  were  held  at  the  Market  Crofs  in  the  ftreet 
at  the  fame  time;  I  fat  filent  that  day;  on  the  next 
there  w^as  a  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders  in  the 
morning,  in  w^hich  I  had  fome  remarks  to  make 
refpefting  miniftry;  there  were  alfo  two  public 
meetings  the  fame  day,  one  of  which  was  dull,  the 
other  more  open,  and  on  third  day  two  meetings 
rather  better,  when  the  yearly-meeting  ended ;  fome 
meetings  being  laid  out  for  me,  John  Hunt  return- 
ed to  London,  but  John  Pemberton  concluded  to 
go  with  me  a  few  days,  and  his  company  v/as  kind- 
ly accepted  of  by  me,  he  being  a  fober,  well  in- 
clined young  man.  We  went  to  Ilminller  the  firft 
appointed  meeting,  in  which  the  good  prefence  was 
witnelTed  much  to  my  comfort,  for  1  faw  that  the 
Lord  was  near,  and  helped  me  in  my  gift  by  open- 
ing  the  flate  of  the  meeting,  blelfcd  be  his  name 
for  ever  I    I  alfo  bad  an  evening  meeting  at  Chard, 

and 


86        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

and  next  day  at  Yeovil  v/hicli  was  large  and  open 
for  dodrine,  then  at  Sherborn  on  the  edge  of  Dor- 
fetfliire,  from  thence  went  to  vifit  the  wife  and  chil- 
dren of  Jonah  Thompfon  at  Compton,  he  being  in 
Pennfylvania  on  a  rehgious  vifit;  I  had  fome  good 
fatisfadion  in  the  family,  and  tarried  there  a  day, 
then  went  to  the  meetings  at  Long  Sutton,  Puddi- 
more,  Grinton,  Glaflonbury,  Shipton-mallet,  and 
Frome,  in  which  I  had  moftly,  clofe  and  plain  fer- 
vice;  yet  not  without  a  degree  of  the  fweetnefs  and 
power  of  Truth,  in  a  fenfe  whereof  I  was  often 
made  humbly  thankful  to  the  Lord.  Then  pro- 
ceeding to  Bath,  was  at  the  forenoon  and  afternoon 
meetings  there,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  at 
Caleb  Tyley's,  which  were  in  fome  good  degree 
owned  by  truth;  but  there  is  a  want  of  weighty 
folid  friends  in  this  place,  which  is  much  frequent- 
ed by  moil  forts  of  people  on  account  of  the  Wa- 
ters ;  from  thence  we  went  to  Bradford,  and  Pick- 
wick meetings ;  but  not  being  clear  at  the  firfl,  I 
returned,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  there,  to 
which  many  came,  and  it  ended  to  fatisfadion. 
Here  I  may  note,  that  having  a  defire  to  Tee  triends 
by  themfelves,  and  fomething  on  my  mind  in  a  clofe 
manner  to  the  fociety;  when  I  flood  up  and  began 
to  fpeak,  the  houfe  was  foon  almoil  filled  by  others, 
who  would  wait  without,  fetting  fome  one  to  watch 
■when  there  was  any  thing  fpoken;  upon  their  com- 
ing in,  the  fubjed  in  my  view  clofed,  and  an  open- 
ing in  a  doctrinal  way  prefented,  and  my  mind 
turned  to  it,  and  I  believe  it  was  to  the  fatisfa^lion 
of  fome  feeking  people  prefent ;  after  I  fat  down  a 
few  minutes,  finding  no  eafe  refpeding  my  concern 
towards  friends,  I  had  a  freedom  to  inform  the  peo- 
ple, that  the  public  fervice  of  that  meeting  was  now 
over,  but  1  had  a  defire,  that  the  members  of  the 
meeting  would  flay  a  little  while;  on  which  a  friend 
went  to  the  door,   and  when  the  ethers  had  gone 

out 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         87 

out  fhut  it,  and  the  friends  moftly  kept  their  feats, 
and  in  a  httle  time,  the  flate  of  the  meeting  came 
frelh  before  me  again,  and  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
clear  myfelf  in  a  very  plain  manner,  (hewing  that 
the  greatell  enemies  to  the  truth,  were  the  profef- 
fors  of  it,  who  did  not  obferve  the  inflrudions  of 
truth,  or  grace  of  God  in  their  own  hearts;  for 
altho'  the  dodtrine  thereof  when  declared  by  quali- 
fied inftruments,  was  clear  and  powerfully  convin- 
cing, having  the  love,  and  fweetening  evidence  of 
Truth  with  it,  reaching  the  witnefs  in  their  hearts ; 
yet  when  the  eyes  of  fuch  fo  reached,  were  turned 
to  behold  the  fteps  and  conduct  of  the  libertine 
profefTors  among  us,  they  were  Humbled  by  their 
example,  and  fuch  were  an  offence  to  the  little  ones, 
and  their  portion  by  way  of  comparifon  is  hinted  at 
by  our  Lord,  when  he  fays.  Mat.  xviii.  6.  But 
whofo  Jhall  offend  one  of  thefe  little  ones  who  believe 
in  me^  it  were  better  for  him  that  a  millftone  were 
hanged  about  his  neck^  and  that  he  were  drowned 
in  the  depth  of  the  fea.  From  thence  we  went  to 
Weftbury,  and  Lavington  meetings,  and  to  the 
quarterly-meeting  for  Wiltfhire  held  at  Devizes, 
which  began  on  the  firft  day  of  the  week,  two 
meetings  for  public  worfliip,  and  one  in  the  even- 
ing for  minifters  and  elders,  and  next  day  for  wor- 
fliip and  bufmefs,  but  I  could  fee  no  time,  nor  room 
to  clear  myfelf  to  advantage  for  want  of  more  flill- 
nefs ;  the  fervice  of  meetings  may  be  hurt  for  want 
of  filencc,  and  the  minds  of  the  people  become 
too  unfettled  to  underftand  and  hear  to  proht;  in  a 
fenfc  whereof,  I  left  this  place  with  an  heavy  heart, 
and  went  to  Chippenham,  Corfham,  Charlcot,  and 
Melkfham  meetings,  befides  which  had  three  even- 
ing meetings,  one  at  Pickwick  in  a  School-houfe 
belonging  to  Thomas  Bennet,  with  his  boarding 
Icholars  and  others;  one  at  John  Fry's  of  Sutton 
Benjar,  and  the  other  at  S?.mucl  Rutty's;  fome  of 

which 


88        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

which  were  good  meetings;  then  leaving  Wiltfhlfe 
we  paffed  through  Bradford,  and  Bath,  and  came 
to  Briftol  on  the  twenty-fecond  of  the  month,  where 
I  tarried  until  firfl  day,  the  feventh  of  the  eighth 
month,  conllantly  attending  their  meetings  as  they 
came  in  courfe,  and  vifiting  feveral  famiHes  as  truth' 
opened  my  way,  my  mind  and  fpirit  was  bowed 
very  low  in  this  city,  under  a  fenfe  of  too  general 
a  declenfion  and  failing  away  from  truth?  into  pride, 
high-mindednefs,  and  the  fpirit  of  the  world,  and 
a  conformity  to  the  vain  cuftoms  and  fafliions  there- 
of, of  which  I  frequently  made  mention  amongll: 
them;  I  was  at  their  two  weeks  meeting  for  hufi- 
nefs,  and  quarterly-meeting  for  infpeding  the  af- 
fairs of  truth,  and  laboured  much  to  encourage 
them  to  hold  weekly  meetings  for  miniflers  and  el- 
ders, in  order  to  enquire  hovt^  meetings  for  worfhip 
v/ere  attended  by  public  friends,  and  whether  their 
minifi:ry  was  acceptable,  and  the  lives  and  conver- 
fatrons  of  ministers  and  elders  correfpondent  with' 
their  dodrine  and  profeilion,  which  care  they  had 
dropped  for  fometime.  I  was  at  fixteeia  meetings  m 
thb  cityj^  and  on»€  at  Frenchay,  and  vifited  Anthony 
Purver's  boarding  fchool  at  that  place,  and  being 
eafy  to  leave  Briftol  fbr  the  prefent,  we  went  to 
Chewmagna  in  Somerretrnire;  and  after  dining  at 
jrobn  HipHcy's,  had  a  religious  opportunity  in  his 
famly,  asad  the  next  day  a  meeting  at  Portifliead, 
an  evening  meeting  at  James  Players,  then  to  Cla- 
verha;m,  Sidcotj  and  Mark,  fomc  of  which  were 
good  meetings,  a  few  elderly  friends  here  live  near 
truth,  and  there  was  a  vifitation  to  the  youth,  feveral 
of  whom  appeared  tender  and  growing  in  religion; 
tho'  many  profeiTors  are  feeking  after  the  gain,  lovey. 
and  friendfnip  of  the  world,  not  enough  conhder- 
ing  that  Godlinefs  with  contentment  is  the  bell 
gain ;  our  next  meeting  was  at  Bridgewater,  then  at 
Taunton,  and  were  comforted  together  with  friends 

m 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         89 

in  their  morning  and  afternoon  meetings ;  in  the  di- 
vine prefence  there  is  life,  and  the  hving  are  made 
able  to  praife  the  Lord  who  is  worthy.  From  thence 
paiTmg  to  Minehead,  Milverton,  Wellington,  Spice- 
land,  Columpton,  having  a  meeting  at  each  place, 
we  came  to  Exeter  in  Devonfliire,  and  attended  three 
meetings  there  on  firft  day,  in  each  of  which  I  had 
fomething  to  offer;  but  was  much  deprelTed  under 
an  apprehenfion  of  the  prevalence  of  a  deiftical 
fpirit  over  fome,  which,  with  the  indifference  of 
others  about  religion,  and  a  light  forward  zeal  in 
fome  others,  without  the  deep,  inv/ard,  baptizing 
knowledge  of  Truth,  occafion  the  pure  and  ever 
bleffed  power  thereof  to  be  at  a  lov/  ebb  in  that 
city.  When  the  children  of  the  Lord  know  him 
their  Redeemer  to  live  by  his  heavenly  power  in 
them,  they  know  alfo  that  thereby  they  live,  and 
feelingly  know  his  Truth  and  the  precious  teilimony, 
and  by  this  knowledge  are  influenced  with  an  holy, 
humble  zeal,  in  love  and  mecknefs  to  work  in  his 
vineyard  the  church,  to  the  honour  of  God,  and 
the  edification  and  reftoration  one  of  another. 

Leaving  Exeter,  we  went  to  Topiham  and  had  a 
dark  dull  meeting,  and  flaying  at  a  friend's  hoiife 
to  dine,  one  at  the  table,  who,  as  1  underftood, 
could  not  fpare  time  to  attend  the  meeting,  afKed 
me  if  I  was  ever  in  New-England,  and  whether  I 
could  inform  him  what  fort  of  a  country  it  was? 
for,  added  he,  I  have  heard  people  fay,  that  the 
corn  (that  is  wheat)  will  not  ripen  there,  but  is 
fmitten  with  a  rotting  mildew  which  blafls  the  wheat 
in  the  ear;  I  fuddenly  felt  that  I  had  need  of  being 
careful  in  anfwering,  but  knew  not  why ;  I  anfwer- 
ed  with  caution,  that  I  had  feen  v/heat  in  that  coun- 
try which  looked  to  be  well  grown,  but  in  the  ear 
where  grain  Ihould  be,  there  was  little  elfe  but  a 
black  fmut  in  form  of  a  grain;  I  have  heard,  fald 
he,  that  it  would  bear  full,  good  v.'hcat  formerly, 

N  ^^^^ 


90        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

and  what  can  now  be  the  caufe  why  it  is  blafted, 
didft  thou  ever  hear?  On  which  I  related  to  him  a 
paiFage  which  I  had  heard,  viz.  Two  perfons  being 
in  Bofton  had  a  curiofity  to  fee  the  old  prifon,  from 
whence  thofe  friends  were  led  to  the  place  of  exe- 
cution who  were  hanged  at  Boflon  for  their  religi- 
ous teftimony  and  principles,  and  an  inhabitant  of 
the  town  going  v.'ith  them,  brought  them  to  the 
prifon,  and  one  of  the  men  faid  to  their  guide,  is 
this  the  old  jail  where  the  friends  lay  who  were 
hanged?  an  old  woman  who  fat  knitting  at  the 
door,  tho'  not  fpoken  to,  anfwered  yes  it  is,  and 
we  feelingly  know  it,  for  a  curfe  has  been  on  the 
land  ever  fince,  fo  that  it  will  not  bear  wheat  with- 
out a  blading,  and  we  are  beholden  to  other  colo- 
nies for  bread.  He  replied  with  an  air  of  jelling,  I 
have  heard  fo,  but  I  believe  nothing  of  it.  I  told 
him  we  might  obferve,  that  the  Almighty  had  fome- 
times  manifefted  his  difpleafure  on  a  people  or  na- 
tion, by  famine,  the  fword,  or  peftilence  for  their 
tranfgreffions,  if  we  had  a  belief  in  the  facred  wri- 
tings of  the  old  Teftament;  he  faid,  it  could  not 
be,  that  the  Almighty  who  is  Love  in  perfection, 
and  in  himfelf  infinitely  happy  for  ever,  fliould  de- 
•*  light  in  feverity,  and  take  vengeance  on  man  the 
workmanfliip  of  his  hand;  fome  who  are  narrow  in 
their  way  of  thinking  may  believe  fuch  things,  but 
for  his  part,  he  had  Ideas  more  noble  of  the  deity 
than  to  believe  fuch  notions;  by  which  I  perceived 
he  was  a  deiil,  and  did  not  regard  the  Scriptures, 
and  that  it  would  be  vain  to  fay  much  to  him;  hav- 
ing often  thought  it  v/as  very  difficult  to  fay  any 
thing  to  reach  thofe  fort  of  low  freethinkers,  who 
exercife  themfelves  in  the  wifdom  which  is  from 
beneath,  and  dwell  fafely  in  their  own  imaginations 
and  conceits,  whofe  communication  is  often  infec- 
tious to  others,  and  to  be  perceived  in  the  meet- 
ings and  neighbourhoods  where  they  refide. 

From 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        91 

From  thence  we  went  to  went  to  Eovy,  Newton- 
Bufhel,  Totnefs  and  Kingfbridge,  at  the  laft,  after 
the  morning  and  afternoon  meetings,  we  had  one 
in  the  evening  with  friends  felecled,  which  uas  to 
fatisfadion ;  and  hearing  of  one  family  that  Uved 
many  miles  from  any  meeting,  1  had  a  defire  to  fee 
them,  and  went  thither;  I  let  the  friend  know,  that 
I  came  there  on  purpofe  to  fee  him  and  his  family, 
and  fliould  be  glad  to  have  them  come  together  and 
be  ftill  a  little  while,  defiring  it  might  be  foon,  for 
we  intended  to  go  that  night  to  Plymouth;  he  faid 
it  would  not  anfwer  them  at  that  time,  his  children 
being  employed  in  preffing  out  cider.  I  let  him 
know,  that  I  hoped  I  fhould  not  detain  them  long, 
and  if  they  lightened  the  prefs,  the  cider  would  not 
run  over;  but  could  not  prevail  wirh  him,  tho'  I 
informed  him,  that  I  had  left  all  my  bufinefs,  and 
had  come  fome  thoufand  miles  to  fee  my  friends  in 
this  nation,  and  hearing  how  remote  he  lived  from 
meeting,  had  a  particular  mind  to  fee  him ;  he  re- 
plied that  he  fliould  be  glad  it  had  fuited  them,  but 
could  not  put  his  bufmefs  by  at  that  time;  fo,  with 
a  heavy  heart,  I  left  his  houfe  and  went  to  Plymouth 
where  we  had  a  meeting  the  next  day :  Then  to 
Germains,  Lifcard,  Looe,  Auftil,  and  Denny's  (in' 
Cornwall,)  at  which  laft  place  the  people  are  moft- 
ly  employed  in  the  tin  mines,  and  we  had  a  pretty 
good  meeting,  a  vifit  from  a  friend  being  accepta- 
ble to  them,  and  they  willing  to  leave  their  bufmefs 
tho'  poor  people.  From  hence  w^e  proceeded  pret- 
ty dired  to  the  Land*s-end,  intending  to  take  the 
meetings  on  our  return,  and  were  at  Penzance 
meeting  on  fixth  day;  at  this  meeting  my  compani- 
on John  Pemberton  fpoke  a  few  words  in  way  of 
teftimony,  tender  and  broken,  being  the  firft  time, 
and  I  thought  had  a  good  degree  of  the  favour  of 
truth  attending;  and  on  feventh  day,  went  to  vifit 
an  ancient  friend  Tick  and  bed  rid,  near  the  Land's- 

end 


92        The    LIFE    and    T  R  A  V  E  L  S 

€nd  where  formerly  there  had  been  a  meeting,  and 
returned  in  the  evening  to  Penzance;  on  firil  day- 
had  a  meeting  at  Marazlon  in  the  morning,  and  at 
Penzance  in  the  evening:    We  then  turned  Eaft- 
\vard,    and  attended  a  meeting  at  Fahnouth,  and 
five  others  in  this  county  of  Cornwail ;  then  palled 
through  Devonlliire,  taking  a  meeting  at  Oakhamp- 
ton,    and  twelve  others  in  Somerfetlhire,   ibme  of 
which  were  large  and  open,  for  there  came  many 
feeking  people  to  the  meetings  at  Bridgewater,  and 
I  hope  ibme  of  thofe  opportunities  were  through 
Divine  favour  profitable  to  fome  of  themi;  and  not 
beinr>*  eafy  in  my  mind  to  leave  this  county  without 
being  at  the  quarterly-meeting  for  bufmefs  to  be 
held  at  Glaftonbury,    I  returned  thither,  and  was 
concerned  to  lay  before  friends  the  declining  (late 
of  the  fociety  in  that  county,  and  to  exhort  them 
to  put  the   difcipline  in  practice,    that  the  church 
might  be  cleared  from  diforders,  which  caufed  re- 
proach;   it  was  thought  by  friends  to  be  the  molt 
Iblid  quarterly- meeting  v/hich  had  been  held  in  that 
county  for  many  years.     From  thence  we  went  to 
Cain  in  Wiltfnire,  being  about  fifty  miles,  and  were 
at  their  meeting  on  firll  day  the  fixteenth  of  the 
tenth  month,  v/here  we  met  out  friend  and  country- 
man Daniel  Stanton  from  Philadelphia  in  the  courfe 
of  his  religious  vifit,  and  were  glad  in  each  others 
company,   tho'  the  meetings  both  forenoon  and  af- 
ternoon were  but  dull,  the  people  looking  for  words, 
were  difappointed ;    the  next  day  v/e  went  together 
to  a  monthly-meeting  at  Chippenham ;  the  meeting 
for  worlhip  was  held  in  the  meeting  houfe,  at  the 
conclufioQ  of  which  friends  rofe  and  went  out;  I 
alked  them  where  they  were  going,  for  I  felt  very 
uneafy,  they  faid  to  do  the  buiinefs  of  the  m.eeting, 
and  feeling  a  fcrong  engagement  to  be  with  them 
while  they  traniaded  the  affairs  of  the  church,  I 
followed  them,    tho'  it  rained  very  fad ;  they  went 

into 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        93 

iato  a  fpacious  houfe  where  a  room  was  prepared  for 
the  purpofe,  and  a  good  fire;  I  fat  down  with  them 
tho'  forely  diftrelTed,  they  feemed  to  do  the  bufmefs 
in  a  formal  ready  way ;  1  endeavoured  to  prefs  them 
to  weightinefs  of  fpirit,  that  they  might  feel  the 
ftate  of  the  fociety  and  the  need  there  was  to  put 
the  difcipline  in  practice,  for  religion  was  at  a  Ioav 
ebb  in  that  county;  they  feemed  not  to  underftand 
me,  and  indeed  1  found  but  httle  room  or  opennefs 
to  fay  much  to  them;  they  foon  finiflied  their  bufi- 
nefs;  when  I  rofe  up  and  moved  for  going  away, 
they  informed  me  that  friends  (laid  to  dine  where 
the  bufinefs  was  tranfacled,  and  that  the  friends  of 
the  houfe  would  think  it  very  llrange  if  I  went 
away;  fo  they  told  the  woman  that  the  friend  was 
going  away;  Ihe  met  me  in  the  Hall,  and  faid, 
I  mult  not  go  before  I  took  dinner;  I  told  h(^v  I 
Ihould,  for  that  I  had  not  freedom  to  flay  to  eat  or 
drink  in  the  houfe;  flie  allied  me  why?  I  preflingly 
defned  her  to  inquire  of  the  Truth  in  her  own  heart 
and  file  might  fmd  the  caufe,  fo  I  went  away,  and  a 
friend  followed  me  out,  and  fliewed  me  the  way  to 
his  houfe  where  I  left  my  hprfe,  and  there  I  found 
Daniel  Stanton,  and  my  companion  J.  P.  who  went 
not  to.  the  meeting  for  bufmefs ;  Daniel  informed 
me,  that  he  followed  us  to  the  door,  but  could  not 
go  in,  for  he  thought  he  felt  the  life  of  truth  flruck 
at,  or  trampled  upon  in  that  houfe,  and  therefore 
returned  to  the  other  where  we  had  left  our  horfes, 
and  J.  P.  with  him;  I  was  glad  that  he  had  fuch  a 
fenfe,  and  he  expreiTed  fatisfadion  that  I  did  not 
ftay  to  dine,  fo  we  dined  together,  after  which 
Daniel  went  Weftward,  and  we  towards  London, 
taking  feveral  meetings  in  our  way,  and  arrived 
there  the  thirty-firft  of  the  tenth  month,  and  tarry- 
ing in  the  city  until  the  twenty-fifth  of  the  eleventh 
month,  in  the  mean  time  I  carefully  vifited  all  the 
meeiings  in  great  awfulncfs,  being  bowed  in  fpirit 

under 


94        T^HE    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

under  a  fenfe  of  a  forward  miniflry,  and  fat  chiefly 
in'fiience  among  them:  I  alfo  attended  their  meet- 
ings for  difciphne,  namely  one  quarterly-meeting, 
the  monthly,  two  weeks,  fecond  day  morning  meet- 
ings, and  meeting  for  fufFerings,  and  was  in  much 
heavinefs  of  mind,  having  a  fenfe  of  a  great  ne- 
glect in  fome  who  were  a6live  members,  in  not  wait- 
ing for  a  true  qualification  to  a£l:  for  the  honour  of 
God  and  edification  of  the  church;  neverthelefs 
there  is  a  remnant  who  are  concerned  to  feek  his 
honour,  and  to  wait  for  the  influence  of  his  Divine 
Spirit  and  Power,  to  whom  I  was,  at  times,  con- 
cerned to  fpeak  by  way  of  encouragement.  To  tranf- 
acl  the  weighty  affairs  of  the  church  in  as  light  and 
eafy  a  m^anner  as  men  commonly  buy  and  fell  in  a 
market,  will  always  rather  bring  death  over  a  meet- 
ing than  life. 

We  left  London  on  the  twenty-fixth  of  the 
eleventh  month,  and  went  to  Chelmsford  in  EiTex, 
and  the  next  day  fat  with  friends  in  their  forenoon 
and  afternoon  meetings  to  pretty  good  fatisfaclion, 
through  the  goodnefs  and  power  of  the  Lord,  whofe 
prefence  was  meafurably  felt  among  us  to  the  praife 
of  his  ever  worthy  name;  then  taking  meetings  as 
regularly  as  we  could,  we  vifited  that  county  in 
twenty-four  days,  and  had  twenty-three  public 
meetings,  and  fom.e  family  fittings.  My  fervice  for 
truth  in  this  county  was  in  a  dole  plain  way,  moflily 
with  but  few  words ;  for  it  often  appeared  to  me, 
that  there  was  a  greater  defire  to  hear,  than  to  put 
in  practice  thofe  things  they  were  exhorted  to,  for 
which  1  often  mourned,  and  had  a  (Irong  fympathy 
with  the  few  fenfible,  baptized  friends  amonglt 
them;  for  brevity  fake  I  clofe  this  general  account 
without  further  remark. 

We  then  paffed  to  Ipfwich  in  Suffolk,  and  had  a 
meeting  with  friends  tht  re  to  fome  fatisfaftion, 
there  being  a  tender  fmcere  remnant  among  them; 

and 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        95 

and  taking  the  Eafl  part  of  the  county,  we  had 
ten  meetings,  and  vUited  feveral  indifpofed  friends 
to  good  fati^ifadion ;  then  went  to  Ifarmouth  in 
Norfolk,  and  after  attending  their  meetings  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon  on  firft  day,  had  a  large 
fatisfadory  one  the  fame  evening,  many  of  the 
people  of  the  town  coining  to  it;  then  going  to 
Norwich  we  tarried  with  friends  there  about  a 
week,  in  which  time  I  had  tour  meetings  in  that 
city,  and  one  at  Lammas  near  it,  and  aifo  vifited 
divers  indifpofed  friends,  and  had  fatisfatlion  there- 
in. Intending  to  vifit  all  the  meetings  in  Norfolk 
county,  a  friend  undertook  to  lay  them  out  ior  me, 
and  made  a  lift  of  them,  of  which  he  gave  me  a 
copy,  and  told  me,  it  was  the  way  to  take  the  meet- 
ings with  the  leaft  traveling;  but  I  felt  a  flrait  in 
my  mind,  which  I  had  always  found  fafe  for  me  to 
attend  to  until  I  faw  a  way  open,  and  being  thought- 
ful about  it,  I  defired  him  to  inform  me,  what 
meeting  bore  mod  to  the  North  Eafl  from  that 
place,  he  told  me  it  was  North-Walfam;  I  defired 
him  to  begin  there,  and  name  the  meetings  mod 
regular  afterwards,  and  I  would  tell  him  if  the  lift 
felt  pleafant  as  he  went  on;  he  then  proceeded,  and 
we  readily  finifhed  one  which  was  eafy  to  me;  when 
I  defired  him  to  fet  down  the  diflances  as  he  had 
done  in  the  other,  and  on  comparing  them,  we 
found  the  lafl  to  be  at  leaft  three  miles  lefs  riding; 
he  feemed  to  ^be  pleafed,  and  faid  it  was  not  the 
ufual  way  of  taking  thofe  meetings;  I  was  willing 
to  lay  out  nine,  but  told  him,  1  was  not  fully  eafy 
to  venture  the  giving  public  notice  further,  that 
perhaps  the  weather  might  be  difHcult;  he  faid 
there  would  be  a  general  meeting  in  a  few  days, 
when  friends  from  many  meetings  would  be  toge- 
ther, and  likely  to  have  full  notice  very  eafily  given 
for  a  few  meetings  further,  which  he  thought  I  had 
belt  leave  to  him,  fo  we  went  forward  to  North- 
Walfam, 


96        The    LIFE    anj^    TRxlVELS 

Walfam,  and  had  a  fatisfadory  meeting,  and  taking 
the  meetings  in  courfe,  came  to  the  quarterly-meet- 
ing of  miniiters  and  elders  at  Norwich;  the  friend 
who  laid  out  the  meetings  informed  me,  that  if  I 
had  taken  them  according  to  his  firit  lift,  1  fliould 
have  interfered  with  a  public  friend  at  feveral,  who 
was  then  on  a  viiit,  and  he  thought  there  was  a 
hand  of  providence  remarkable  in  turning  me;  for 
as  we  were  both  llrangers,  we  fhould  have  been 
ftraitened  through  a  tender  regard  to  each  others 
fervice;  he  iikewifc  let  me  know,  that  he  did  not 
remember  that  their  quarterly-meeting  began  the 
next  day  after  the  meeting  beyond  which  1  told  him 
I  was  not  free  to  appoint  any,  and  that  having  fent 
the  lift  to  a  friend  to  publifli  at  the  general  meeting 
before  mentioned,  he  had  been  obliged  to  attend 
that  meeting  to  ftop  the  notice  refpetling  the  few- 
meetings  he  talked  of,  otherwife  T  fhould  have  mif- 
fed the  quarterly-meeting,  and  he  thought  it  would 
teach  him  to  be  more  cautious  in  future.  I  mention 
this  occurrence  with  a  degree  of  reverent  thankful- 
nefs  and  humility,  with  no  other  veiw  than  to  en-, 
.  courage  thofe  minifters  who  are  called  forth  to  vifit: 
the  churches,  to  diligently  and  innocently  attend 
to  the  motion  of  truth,  which  the  more  we  are 
humbled  and  inwardly  quiet,  the  clearer  it  is  un- 
derftood  and  felt ;  but  as  this  is  inftru^lion  for  our- 
felves,  it  is  fafer  for  us  to  treafure  it  up  in  our  own 
hearts,  than  to  make  it  too  cheap  by  talking  there- 
of to  others.  This  quarterly-meeting,  both  in  re- 
fpe^l  to  public  worfliip  and  tranfading  the  affairs  of 
truth,  w^as  held  to  fatisfaction,  through  the  Lord's 
favour,  who  will  be  near  to  them  that  diligently 
feek  him,  bleffed  be  his  name  for  ever! 

Then  taking  Ellingham  meeting,  we  went  to 
Thetford,  and  had  a  meeting  with  friends  there, 
both  which  wxre  diftrefting,  iTom  a  fenfe  of  the 
prevalence  of  a  ranting  fpirit:    Here  it  appeared 

expedi- 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        ^j 

expedient  to  lay  out  meetings  for  the  enfuing  week, 
in  order  that  fuitable  notice  might  be  given;  and 
as  they  were  named  to  me  in  courfe  by  friends,  I 
felt  a  remarkable  defire  to  fee  the  friends  of  one 
certain  meeting  by  themfelves,  at  or  near  the  ele- 
venth hour  of  the  day,  altho'  quite  a  ftranger  to 
their. fituation,  numbers,  or  (late;  and  a  friend  be- 
ing prefent  belonging  to  that  meeting,  I  requeued 
her  care  about  it,  and  then  went  home  with  Richard 
Brewfter  to  Edmondfbury,  and  attended  the  meet- 
ings there  on  the  firll  day  morning  and  afternoon^ 
which  were  in  the  main  fatisfadory,  and  in  the 
evening  had  a  meeting  with  a  fick  friend:  In  this 
town  there  is  a  conliderable  number  of  hopeful 
friends.  We  then  went  to  Ratlefden,  Bardwell, 
and  through  Livermore  to  Brand,  the  place  where 
I  had  the  defire  to  fee  friends  by  themfelves,  as  be- 
fore mentioned,  and  coming  to  the  friend's  houfe 
-whofe  wife  had  been  intruded  with  the  notice,  I 
afked  her  if  it  was  not  time  to  go  to  the  meeting, 
fhe  faid,  thou  mull  alk  my  hufband,  appearing  to  be 
diftrefled;  I  afked  where  he  was,  fhe  replied  in  his 
warehoufe,  and  fent  for  him;  he  coming  after  a 
while,  I  fuppofe  about  twelve  o'clock,  I  afked  him 
the  time  of  the  meeting,  he  anfwered  at  fix  in  the 
evening  (to  be  fure;)  I  told  him,  that  I  had  in- 
formed his  wife  of  my  defire  that  it  fhould  be  at 
eleven;  he  replied,  fhe  faid  fo  but  I  thought  it 
would  be  diflionorable,  for  few  only  would  attend 
it  at  that  time,  for  the  people  of  that  town  were 
chiefly  fuch  as  were  obliged  to  do  their  days  work, 
which  would  be  finiflied  at  fix  in  the  evening,  when 
the  houfe  would  be  nearly  full;  I  told  him,  I  did 
defire  to  fee  friends  by  themfelves,  and  fuppofed 
they  could  meet  at  any  hour;  he  granted  that  they 
could  have  met  at  the  the  time  propofed ;  but  faid, 
he  was  a  man  of  a  more  liberal  fpirit  than  to  want 
to  eat  his  morfel  alone,  but  was  defirous  his  neigh- 

O  bours 


98         Tin:    LIFE    and    TRAVELS'^ 

bours  fliould  partake  with  him,  and  thought  it  his 
duty  to  endeavour  to  inform  and  help  thofe  whom 
he  apprehended  were  backward  or  ignorant  in  the 
performance  of  their  duty,  and  he  faid,  that  the 
end  and  intent  of  minifters  going  forth  was  to  pub- 
lifli  the  gofpel,  and  he  thought,  to  the  more  the 
better;  I  let  him  know  that  it  was  necelfary  for 
thofe  who  were  called  to  the  work  of  the  miniflry, 
to  know  alfo  to  whom  they  were  called,  or  other- 
wife  they  might  be  miilaken,  and  go  north  inflead 
of  fouth,  or  to  a  different  nation  or  country;  he 
anfwered,  that  he  beheved  if  they  were  rightly  cal- 
led, the  fpirit  would  inform  them  where  they  were 
to  go;  I  replied  very  well,  and  when  they  are  come 
to  the  right  place,  the  fpirit  would  let  them  know 
what  they  have  to  do,  he  faid,  1  believe  fo  too. 
"Whereupon  I  told  him,  if  I  knew  the  language  of 
that  fpirit  that  called  me  from  my  native  land  to 
Old-England,  it  was  the  fame  that  inclined  me  to 
fee  the  friends  of  that  town  by  themfelves,  and  af- 
terwards if  I  felt  an  enlargement  of  mind,  could 
have  propofed  a  public  meeting  with  the  town's-peo- 
ple  in  the  evening;  and  why  not  one  opportunity  for 
both?  he  queried,  adding  "  for  I  fnould  be  wilhng 
that  all  the  town  might  hear  what  thou  canfl  have 
to  fay  lis."  I  then  faid  to  Ifmi,  "  if  a  certain  great 
perfon  on  whom  thy  profperity  in  all  things  tempo- 
ral did  abfolutely  depend,  fnould  in  fmgular  kind- 
nefs  to  thee,  fend  a  meiTenger  to  acquaint  or  advife 
thee  of  fome  matter  relating  to  thyfelf  in  thy  own 
particular  conduft,  in  which  thy  profperity,  peace, 
and  intercit  would,  without  thy  immediate  care,  be 
nearly  affeded,  wouldft  thou  judge  it  prudent  to 
fay  to  the  ambaifador  of  fuch  a  friend,  deliver  not 
thy  melTage  to  me,  until  I  call  my  neighbours  and 
the  people  of  the"  town  to  hear  it,  and  fo  expofe 
thy  own  weaknefs  to  thy  difadvantage,  v/ithout  be- 
nefit to  thy  neighbours?    confider  it  carefully,  my 

heart 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        99 

heart  yearns  to  the  profeiTors  of  truth  in  this  town, 
and  it  feems  to  me  that  my  bufmefs  at  prefent  was 
only  with  them,  and  as  I  can't  have  an  opportunity 
according  to  my  freedom  and  defire,  I  fliall  hold 
myfelf  excufed:"  He  anfwered,  if  nothing  but  a 
meeting  with  friends  will  do,  we  mud  fend  them 
"word  to  come  together  as  foon  as  they  can;  I  told 
him,  that  would  now  by  no  means  do ;  for  he  was 
at  prefent  fo  chafed  in  his  mind,  that  he  could  not 
hear  to  much  advantage;  he  then  afked  me  whaf 
end  would  be  anfwered  by  my  coming  there?  I 
told  him,  to  deteft  fuch  heady  unfound  members 
as  he  was,  that  thought  it  dillionourable  for  a  few 
friends  to  meet  together  to  worlhip  God,  tho'  their 
number  w^as  more  than  two  or  three,  to  whom  the 
promife  was;  he  faid,  then  what  will  become  of  the 
meeting?  I  let  him  know  he  mult  look  to  that,  who 
had  without  orders  headily  appointed  it,  and  fo  left 
him;  and  went  to  Mildenhall,  where  a  friend  told 
me,  that  he  being  at  the  meeting  aforefaid  when 
public  notice  was  given,  that  it  was  on  this  wife. 
Friends  and  Neighbours !  "  Pleafe  to  take  notice  that 
a  friend  from  America  defires,  a  public  meeting  here 
on  wednefday  next,  at  fix  o'clock  in  the  evening," 
which  circumftance  I  4^ti  not  know  when  I  was  at 
his  houfe ;  on  the  whole  I  had  inward  peace  in  my 
obfervations  and  condud;  to  this  i^ian,  and  many 
friends  rejoiced;  for  feveral  had  been  overborn  by 
him  to  their  grief,  and  I  was  fmce  informed,  that  he 
fome  what  laid  the  matter  to  heart,  and  was  often 
heard  to  fay,  that  he  would  not  ferve  any  friend 
fo  again;  after  which  we  had  many  meetings  in 
this  county,  and  pafling  into  Cambridgefliire  had 
eight  meetings  therein,  and  I  thought  the  life  of 
religion  was  low  in  general,  tho'  there  are  a  few 
tender  friends  in  feveral  places;  we  then  Vvxnt  to 
divers  meetings  in  Huntingdonfliire,  Northampton- 
fliire,  Bedfordiliire,  and  Hertfordfhire,  in  which  it- 
was 


100        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Was  moftly  my  lot  to  point  out  to  friends  the  danger 
they  were  in,  of  lofing  the  pure  favour  of  truth, 
for  want  of  humbly  attending  to  the  dilates  there- 
of in  their  own  hearts,  which  had  already  occafioned 
a  dwarfiUmefs  among  the  profeiTors  in  thofe  parts ; 
feveral  friends  met  us  at  Waltham  Abbey  from 
London,  with  whom  we  went  to  that  city  in  order 
to  attend  the  yearly-meeting,  which  began  on  the 
twenty-fixth,  and  ended  on  the  fixth  day  of  the 
week,  the  thirty -firfl  of  the  third  month  (1751,) 
and  in  the  feveral  fittings  thereof,  both  for  public 
worlhip  and  the  tranfadion  of  the  affairs  of  truth, 
was  thought,  by  many,  to  be  the  moil  weighty  and 
folid  meeting  that  had  been  known  for  many  years  j 
which  was  caufe  of  humble  rejoicing  and  deep 
thankfulnefs  to  many  friends,  in  that  the  Lord  had 
vouchfafed  his  heavenly  prefence  in  wifdom  and 
power,  to  the  praife  of  his  facred  name;  feveral 
friends  flaying  in  the  city  after  the  meeting  was 
over,  we  had  a  large  and  fatisfaclory  one  on  the 
feventh  day  of  the  week,  and  I  tarried  attending 
divers  meetings  until  the  fixth  of  the  fourth  month, 
then  went  to  Chelmsford,  and  fat  with  friends  in 
their  morning  and  afternoon  meetings  on  firft  day, 
and  from  thence  to  the  yearly-meeting  at  Colchefterj 
but  being  taken  ill  of  a  fever,  was  prevented  at- 
tending more  than  one  fitting  of  that  meeting;  yet 
through  mercy  was  refigned,  and  had  peace;  (laid 
their  meeting  in  that  town  on  the  fifth  day  of  the 
Week,  and  the  next  day  fet  forward  with  my  bro- 
ther W"^*  Brown,  John  Griffith,  and  my  compani- 
on, in  order  to  attend  Woodbridge  yearly-meeting, 
which  began  on  the  feventeenth  of  the  month,  and 
altho'  the  fever  had  not  left  me,  1  was  enabled  to 
attend  every  fitting  of  it,  which  was  a  large  and 
folid  meeting  throughout,  and  friends  were  re- 
frefhed  together ;  prailed  be  the  Lord !  whofe.  mercy 
is  great  to  his  people  j    my  companion  J.  P.  went 

with 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         loi 

with  my  brother  to  fome  adjacent  meetings,  but  I 
itaid  the  week  day  meeting  in  this  town,  which  was 
through  Divine  favour  fatisfa£tory.  "^e  met  again 
at  the  yearly-meeting  at  Norwich  in  a  few  days, 
which  concluded  to  fatisfa6lion,  and  friends  were 
made  truly  thankful  to  the  Lord  for  this  additional 
favour;  we  fpent  a  few  days  longer  at  this  city,  and 
attended  their  monthly  meeting;  after  which,  hav- 
ing a  defire  to  vifit  a  few  meetings  in  company  with 
my  brother  W""*  Brown  where  Ranterifm  feemed 
to  prevail,  he  having  the  like  concern,  we  took  a 
monthly  meeting  at  Wimondham,  alfo  the  meetings 
at  Matffil  and  Ellingham,  in  which  we  were  con- 
cerned to  ufe  great  plainnefs  to  clear  ourfelves  on 
account  of  that  ranting  fpirit;  then  went  to  Ware- 
ham,  and  had  a  precious  meeting  with  the  few 
friends  of  that  place,  and  to  a  very  large  general 
meeting  at  Downham,  many  of  other  focieties  be- 
ing there,  and  it  became  my  concern  to  recite  the 
words  of  our  bleflfed  Lord,  John  v.  39-40.  Search 
the  Scriptures  for  in  them^  ye  think  ye  have  eternal 
life^  'and  they  are  they  which  tejiify  of  me^  and 
ye  will  not  come  to  me  that  ye  might  have  life^  from 
whence  I  had  to  fhew  them  the  danger  of  truft- 
ing  to  information  and  knowledge,  whether  by 
reading  the  Scriptures,  or  hearing  them  preached, 
and  negledling  to  attend  unto  the  infpeaking  voice 
of  Chrift  immediately  in  the  heart,  which  is  the 
only  fure  interpreter  of  the  fcriptures,  leading  thofe 
who  attend  to  his  inftrudion  in  'the  fure  way  to 
life  eternal.  Then  parting  with  W.  B.  we  went  to 
Wifbich,  and  Thornyfenn  in  Cambridgefhire,  and 
taking  divers  meetings  in  Lincolnfhire,  we  palFed 
into  the  Eaft-Riding  of  Yorkfhire,  in  which  we  had 
twenty  four  meetings,  and  taking  eight  in  the 
county  of  Durham,  we  came  to  Shields  in  North- 
umberland, New-Caftle,  and  Alnwick  Abbey,  and 
reached  Kelfo  in  Scotland  on  the  firft  of  the  feventh 
'  -     •  month. 


I02        The    life   and    TRAVELS 

month,  where  we  met  Sufanna  Fothergill  on  her 
return  home:  We  attended  the  morning  and  after- 
noon meetings  at  Kelfo,  on  firft  day.  Alas!  Truth 
is  here  at  a  low  ebb,  and  feeling  my  mind  not  to 
be  clear  of  friends  in  this  place,  I  defired  to  have 
a  feled  meeting  with  them,  which  Sufanna  and  her. 
companion  attended,  and  we  had  an  opportunity  of 
clearing  ourfelves  of  friends  there,  who  had  much 
fallen  from  the  fimplicity  of  the  pure  Truth,  into 
the  modes,  fafliions,  and  cuftoms  of  the  world,  in 
their  drefs,  language,  and  manners,  and  truth  own- 
ed our  fervice  with  a  degree  of  its  divine  authori- 
ty; blefled  be  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Truth!  We 
then  went  to  a  meeting  at  the  houfe  of  John  Crifty, 
at  Ormfton,  to  which  many  people  came  and  be- 
haved quietly,  and  the  dodrine  of  Truth  opened 
pretty  freely  to  them ;  from  thence  to  a  meeting  at 
Edinburgh,  in  which  I  had  a  fenfe  that  filence  was 
bed,  apprehending  the  people  had  been  too  much 
fed  with  words;  after  fometime  one  flood  up,  and 
fpake  of  the  excellence  of  refignation  in  miniflers 
to  fpeak,  or  contentedly  to  be  filent;  to  be  any- 
thing, or  nothing,  as  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  or- 
cier;  but  a  fecret  diftreffing  fear  attended  my  mind, 
that  he  was  not  enough  inwardly  engaged  to  diflin- 
guifli  the  order  and  motion  of  the  Spirit  of  Truths 
from  the  bufy  imagination  and  will  of  the  creature, 
unfubjecled  to  the  Divine  Spirit;  and  I  found  a 
concern  to  fhew  the  nature  of  true  refignation,  and 
the  low  humble  quiet  that  attended  the  minds  of  mi- 
niflers, or  hearers,  who  had  come  to  the  real  know- 
ledge of  it;  the  defire  of  fuch  was  turned  unto  the 
Lord  only  for  heavenly  inflruftion,  and  an  inward 
evidence  of  the  life  and  motion  of  Truth;  for  want 
of  wiilch,  true  Gofpel  miniflry  was  fometimes  ob- 
itruded,  and  the  reafon  of  filence  not  fully  under- 
flood;  after  I  fat  down,  the  fame  perfon  again  flood 
UP,  and  in  a  flow  of  words  and  a  zealous  tone,  faid, 

that 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         103 

that  weaknefs,  or  the  want  of  experience,  led  peo- 
ple to  miitake  both  their  own  and  the  condition  of 
others ;  as  he  appeared  to  me  to  be  aduated  by  a.| 
confident,  ranting  fpirit,  my  mind  was  greatly  ex-  "••  , 
ercifed  after  the  meeting ;  1  remained  at  this  place 
the  two  following  days,  being  detained  by  rainy 
weather,  and  attended  the  meeting  in  the  morning 
of  firft  day,  at  which  1  fat  filent;  but  the  fame  per- 
fon  fpake  fometime  in  words  very  encouraging  to 
the  auditory,  as  if  all  was  well  with  them,  which 
tended  to  increafe  the  exercife  of  my  mind,  having 
a  very  different  fenfe  of  the  ftate  of  the  meeting; 
I  again  attended  their  meeting  in  the  afternoon, 
when  the  fame  perfon  feemed  as  if  he  intended  foon 
to  (land  up;  but  feeling  the  teitimony  of  Truth 
llrong  againft  that  forward  ranting  fpirit,  and  the 
fenfe  thereof  being  weighty  upon  me,  1  endeavoured 
to  keep  under  it  in  patience,  and  foon  the  concern 
of  that  perfon  began  to  diminifli,  and  he  to  be 
drowfy,  after  which  I  had  a  favourable  open  time 
to  clear  my  mind,  of  the  exercife  that  had  been 
upon  i^iC. 

Next  day  we  pafTed  over  the  Frith  about  feven 
miles  broad,  landed  at  Kinghorn  and  rode  to  a  town 
called  Cowper,  and  the  day  following  reached  to 
the  houfe  of  one  who  efleemed  himfelf  a  friend, 
near  Montrofs,  v^here  we  endeavoured  to  have  a 
meeting,  but  he  v/ould  not  allov/  it,  alledging,  that 
it  would  do  his  people  or  fervants  no  good,  and 
as  for  himfelf,  he  thought  he  knew  as  much  of  the 
Truth  as  we  could  inform  him;  and  indeed  he 
feemed  fo  whole  and  felf  rig^xous,  I  thought  it 
would  not  avail  to  fay  much  to  him.  We  were  in- 
formed by  a  perfon  who  accompanied  us  a  few 
miles,  that  this  man,  in  his  younger  years,  had  a 
public  teftimony  to  bear  for  the  Truth,  but  had  for 
a  long  time  left  it  off  (as  he  worded  it,)  and  now, 
his  men  fervants  mufl  not  approach  him  with  their 

heads 


I04        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

heads  covered ;  If  the  Light  in  you  become  darknefs^ 
how  great  is  that  darknefs.  From  hence  we  went 
»to'Ury,  the  feat  of  Robert  Barclay,  grandfon  to 
the  Apologifl;  but  had  no  meeting  until  we  came 
to  the  Old-Town,  near  a  mile  north  of  Aberdeen, 
which,  was  through  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  fome- 
what  (Irengthening ;  from  thence  went  to  John 
Elmfiie's  at  Old-Meldrum,  and  on  firfl  day  morn- 
ing attended  Kill  muck  meeting,  and  in  the  evening 
one  at  Oid-Meldrum,  to  which  many  people  came, 
and,  through  Divine  favour,  thcfc  meetings  were 
fatisfaclory ;  the  next  day  we  had  a  felecl  meeting 
with  friends,  of  whom  there  are  feveral  here,  ten- 
der and  valuable,  and  we  parted  in  love;  and  go- 
ing to  Kingfwells  had  a  meeting  there  with  many 
friends  and  others,  truth  owning  the  fervice,  which 
was  caufe  of  humble  rejoicing:  Continuing  at  and 
near  Aberdeen,  we  had  a  large  meeting  on  firfl 
day  at  Robert  Barclay's.  Altho'  the  defcendants 
and  children  of  friends  who  were  as  bright  flars  in 
their  day,  may  value  themfelves  on  the  worthinefs 
of  their  parents;  yet  if  they  do  not  love  anif  ferve 
the  God  of  their  Fathers  with  a  perfect  heart  and 
an  upright  mind,  he  will  will  not  own  them  with 
his  heavenly  prefence,  but  they  will  be  as  unfa- 
voury  fait. 

We  then  fet  forward  on  our  return  towards  Eng- 
land, taking  two  meetings  in  our  way  to  Glafgow, 
where,  on  firft  day,  we  had  alfo  two  which  were  large, 
open  and  fatisfaftory,  to  which  many  tender  inqui- 
ring people  came,  who  behaved  well,  and  in  the 
evening  of  the  fan  c  day,  had  another  with  thofe 
called  friends  by  themfelves,  having  a  concern  to 
lay  before  them  the  need  they  had  to  look  to  their 
ways  and  converfation,  that  they  might  be 'as  lights 
and  good  exartiples  among  the  people  in  that  place, 
who  were  feekers  after  the  Truth,  and  not  give 
them  occafion  of  Humbling  through  an  evil  con- 
dud: 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        105 

duel:    Then    paffing    to    Carlifle    in    Cumberland, 
Morehoufe,    Scoby,    Solport  and    Kirklington,    in 
moil,  of  which  meetings  truth  feemed  to  be  profef- 
fed,  but  too  few  had  the  Hfe  thereof  in  poffeffion, 
which  occafions  h^d  dry  meeetings.     We  rode  to 
Cornwood  in  Northumberland,    and  lodged  at  the 
houfe  ot  a  man  who  had  been  for  feveral  years  of 
a  diforderiy  condud:,  and  much  given  to  the  excef- 
five  ufe  of   ftrong  drink,    until  he  had  very  much 
impaired  his  conflitution,  but  it  pleafed  the  Lord  to 
open  his  underllanding,  and  make  him  acquainted 
with  his  bleffed  Truth,  whereby  he  was  made  free 
from  that  evil,  and  received  ftrength  to  forfake  his 
old  companions;  but  his  joining  with  friends  was  a 
great  grief  to   his   wife,    who  informed  me,    that 
thro'  prejudice  for  a  time,  fiie  would  rather  he  had 
continued  his  former  courfe  of  living  than  to  be- 
come a  Quaker,  until  obferving  the  fweetnefs  of  his 
temper   and    the   recovery   of    his  health   'n\  feme? 
degree,    with  a  folid  and  fober  conducl,    flie  was 
reached,    and    made  to    believe  in  the  power  by 
which  he  had  knov/n  fuch  a  victory,   and  joined 
herfelf   in  the  fame  religious  profeilion;   they  ap- 
peared to  be  fteady  friends:  I  Vvould  to  God,  that 
all  tipplers  and  drunkards  would  turn  to  that  great 
prophet  which  is  in  Ifrael,  that  they  might  by  him 
be  cleanfed   from  that  leprofy  of  fm!    We  had  a 
comfortable   meeting    the  next  day  in  his  houfe, 
with  his  neighbours  and  fome  friends;  and  on  firft 
day  were  at  AUondale  meeting,    where  are  fome 
fblid  friends,  tho'  others  much  tainted  with  a  fpirit 
of  Ranter ifm,  which  is  a  confident,  felf  righteous 
fpirit  and  very  hard  to  be  won  upon :    After  having 
a  meeting  at  Aldflinmoor,  we  palled  to  the  meet- 
ings at  Penrith  in  Cumberland,  Terril,  and  Strick- 
land which  is  in  a  corner  of  WeRmoreland;    it  was 
with  fome  difficulty  v/e  had  the  meeting  at  Terril, 
fl  man  of  that  place  faving,  he  thought  it  needlefs, 

P  or 


io6         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

or  qucflioned  whether  it  would  be  to  advantage;, 
as  moil  of  their  members  had  been  at  Penrith  meet- 
ing; but  after  the  meeting  he  defired  that  I  would 
not  take  it  hard  of  him  for  endeavouring  to  difcou- 
rage  me,  owning  that  he  was  i^iflaken;  whereupon 
I  cautioned  him  to  be  more  careful  in  future,  how 
he  difcouraged  fuch  who  had  come  fo  many  thou- 
sand miles  to  vifit  them.  Having  meetings  at  divers 
places  in  the  week  following,  I  travelled  in  great 
pain  and  anguilh  of  mind,  from  a  fenfe  of  the  pre- 
valence of  a  dark,  deiftical  fpirit  over  many  of  the 
proieiibrs  of  truth,  of  which  concern  the  Lord  was 
pleafed  to  give  me  ftrength  and  underflanding  to 
clear  myfelf  both  in  public  and  private;  there  is 
no  power  but  his,  that  can  enable  his  fervants  to 
do  his  work,  and  is  over  all  the  powers  of  fatan. 
On  the  next  firft  day  we  were  at  Holme  meeting; 
in  the  forenoon  I  fat  filent,  one  of  thp  ftock  of  the 
old  Ranters  was  there  and  very  troublefome,  accuf- 
ing  many  friends,  no  doubt  falfely,  and  in  the  af- 
ternoon meeting  I  had  not  much  to  fay,  believing 
that  old  ranting  fpirit  is  rather  fed  with  words  and 
and  delights  in  contention,  but  found  it  my  place 
to  exhort  friends  to  retire  deeply  inward  in  all  their 
meetings,  humbly  waiting  to  be  admitted  into  the 
heavenly  prefence,  to  know  their  place  ot  feeding 
to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  fuch  ranting  fpirits;  for 
if  they  fuffered  their  own  fpirits  to  rife  or  refent 
their  ill  ufage,  the  meeting  would  be  the  more  dif- 
quieted.  Our  next  meetings  were  at  Allonby  and 
Broughton,  from  whence  I  went  home  with  our 
friend  Chriftopher  Wilfon  to  his  houfe  at  Grayfo- 
then,  and  the  next  day  attended  the  burial  of  a 
young  man  at  Pardfay  Hall,  and  the  day  follovi^ing 
the  burial  of  a  young  w^oman  at  the  fame  place, 
both  of  which  meetings  were  very  large  and  folid, 
and  I  hope  thro*  divine  goodneft  profitable  to  ma- 
ny.    The  firil  day  of  the  following  week  we  were 

at 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         107 

at  two  meetings  at  Whitehaven,  in  both  which  I 
had  fome  fervice  under  the  influence  and  owning 
of  truth:  We  put  up  our  horfes  at 'a  friend's  houfe 
who  had  been  ufed  to  lodge  pubhc  friends,  but  I 
was  not  free  to  tarry  there,  being  burthened  with 
his  condud  in  the  manner  of  his  entertainment, 
which  was  even  to  fuperfluity  and  grandeur,  no 
"way  becoming  the  fnnphcity  of  truth;  fo  after 
fhcwing  my  diflike  therewith  I  went  to  the  houfe 
of  John  Harris  at  Highfield,  his  wife, being  with 
us,  and  refled  there  a  day,  the  weather  being  ex- 
ceeding rainy;  then  going  to  the  meetings  at  Coc- 
kermouth,  liel,  and  Grayfothen,  we  returned  to 
Cockermouth  and  had  a  meeting  with  friends  by 
themfelves,  that  is,  without  giving  pubhc  notice, 
which  was  thro'  Divine  favour  to  good  fatisfad:ion ; 
reding  another  day  with  our  friend  John  Harris, 
we  went  to  meetings  at  Pardfay  Hall,  and  at  Kef- 
wick,  at  which  laft  I  was  concerned  to  exhort  the 
few  friends  there  to  keep  up  their  week  day  meet- 
ing, having  a  fear  they  were  very  flack  on  that 
account;  \\c  lodged  at  an  Inn,  where  we  had  the 
company  of  fome  of  thofe  friends,  and  in  particu- 
lar one  who  was  a  public  friend;  fome  of  them 
faid,  if  he  would  attend  the  week  day  meeting, 
they  believed  the  reft  of  them  would;  which  gave 
me  occafion  to  obferve  to  him,  that  he  did  not  ex- 
ample well,  and  ought  to  be  more  careful,  as  he 
had  a  public  teflimony  to  bear  for  Truth;  he  re- 
plied, that  he  was  obliged  to  be  induftrious  to  fup- 
port  his  family;  but  at  laft  confefled,  that,  "  He 
did  not  like  to  fit  with  fo  few  friends,  for  none  elfe 
would  come  on  a  week  day,  and  it  was  very  dull 
and  poor  fitting,  and  he  liked  to  fit  in  meetings 
where  there  were  many  aflembled,  for  then  he  had 
fomething  to  Aiy,  fo  life  did  arife  and  all  were  com- 
forted and  edified;"  by  which  it  appeared  that  he 
had  greater  fatisfadion  in  preaching  than  in  humble 

filent 


io8         The    LIFE    anq    TRAVELS 

filent  waiting  to  experience  the  worlhip  which  is 
performed  in  Spirit  and  Truth,  to  edification  and 
comfort ;  I  told  him  that  I  feared  he  was  too  much 
a  ftrangxr  to  pure  rehgion  and  the  nature  of  divine 
worfhip. 

From  thence  we  'went  to  Hawkfliead,  in  Lanca- 
iliire,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  there  in  a  friend's 
houfe,    and  next  d-^y  were  at  the  Hight  meeting, 
and  then  at  Swarthmoor  where  George  Fox  former- 
ly hved,  tho'  it  had  been  famous  for  the  profperity 
of  Truth,  it  is  now  at  a  low  ftate  there;  We  then 
went  to  Kendal  in  Weftmoreland,  where  we  attend- 
ed their  two  meetings  on  the  firfl  day  of  the  week, 
and  after  taking  fome  other  meetings  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood,   returned  to  that  town,    in  and  about 
which  we  tarried  feveral  days,    and   vifited  more 
than  twenty  families  and  attended  ten  public  meet- 
ings, many  of  which  opportunities  were  made  pre- 
cious through  the  goodnefs  and  great  condefcention 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour;  and  in  the  fchool  of  our 
friend    Thomas    Rebanks   I  had   an   extraordinary 
meeting ;  where  many  young  folks  not  of  our  foci- 
cty  were  reached  by  the  power  of  Truth,  which 
was  comfortably  over  all,  praifed  be  the  Lord  for 
ever.    In  the  courfe  of   our  vifiting  families  here, 
during  our  filent  fitting  in  one  of  them,  my  mind 
•svas  much  taken  up  in  thinking  of  a  watch,  and 
the  feveral  wheels  and  movements  thereof,  until  I 
was  grieved  at  fuch  trifling  thoughts,  as  I  efteemed 
them,  w4ien  fuddenly  there  appeared  fomething  in- 
■  ftru£i'ive  therein,    and  I  had  a  freedom  to  fay,  the 
feveral  parts  thereof  feemed  to  reprefent  the  excel* 
lent  inward  faculties  and  gifts  bellowed  on  man, 
and  that  tho'  the  wheels,  &:c,  of  a  watch  were  truly 
made,  and  placed  in  their  proper  order,  there  muft 
be  a  main  fpring  to  give  them  motion,  fo  the  gifts 
'  and  faculties  of   men  muft   have  their  main  fpring 
'^nd  cauie  of  iiioticn  to  every  good  wcrk^  a  zeal  to 

the 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         109 

the  honour  of  the  Lord  then*  creator,  and  a  fervent 
holy  defire  to  anfwer  the  end  of  their  creation ;  and 
as  there  is  a  regulating  fpring  to  a  watch,  fo  alio 
there  fhould  be  the  true  knowledge  of  God  and  of 
themfelves    experienced    in   his   light,    to  preferve 
from  going  too  fail,    knowing  by  his  heavenly  in- 
flruclion,  that  no  wifdom,  zeal,  llrength,  or  abili- 
ty, will  enable  to  do  the  Lord's  work  to  his  honour 
and  the  good  of  man,  but  that  which  God  giveth; 
and  in  order  that  a  watch  may  anfwer  the  end  in- 
tended by  its  maker,    there  is  a  vihble  face  and 
hands  to  difcover  the  inward  motion,  thereby  (hew- 
ing time;  fo  it  is  needful  that  a  man  fliould  be  a  co- 
worker with  the  fpirit  and  gift  of  grace  in  his  in- 
ward part,  that  others  beholding  the  light  thereof 
might  be  taught  to  glorify  God,   and  in  his  light 
fo  to  number  his  days  and   walk  in  his  fear,    as 
to  die  in  his  favour:    As  a  zeal  for  the  caufe  of 
truth  and  a  fear  of   falling  iliort  of  duty,  may  at 
times  prompt  man  to  rufh  on  too  fall,  it  is  needful 
that  he  fhould  wait  in  humble  reverence  to  feel  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  influence  of  that  knowledge 
and  wiidom  which  is  from  above,  and  experienced 
by  thofe  who  are  fpiritual,  that  the  end  of  all  their 
labour  may  be  in  the  fpirit  of  meeknefs  to  rellorc 
Uiofe  who  are  overtaken  in  error,  and  that  men  may 
ever  dwell  in  that  which   gives  ability  to  labour 
with  fuccefs  in  the  church  of   Chrift,  it  is  needful 
that  their  minds  fhould  be  inclofed  in  the  bofom  oi 
Truth,  in  humble  retirement,  to  be  prefcrved  from 
the  various  tumults,  cumbers,  cares  and  temptati- 
ons of  the  world,  w^hich  would  otherwife  clog  their 
minds  and  deprive  them  of  their  true  l|")iritual  fenfc 
and  motion,    and  fo  in  a  v>^atch  it  is  needful  that 
all  the  inward  parts,    which  are  fo  curious,  fliould 
be  inclofed  from  damps,  vapours,  motes  and  duil, 
otherwife  it  would  thereby  be  deprived  of  its  moti- 
on and  become  ufekfs  for  keeping  time, 

My 


no        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

My  intent  in  this  relation  is  to  fhew  the  infinite 
condefcention  of  him  whofe  mercy  is  over  all  his 
works,  to  inftrud  the  children  of  men,  each  as  it 
were,  in  his  own  tongue,  or  language  fuitable 
to  his  underftanding;  the  man  being  by  trade  a 
watchmaker,  and  feemed  to  be  tenderly  reached, 
and  we  parted  in  a  degree  of  fweetnefs;  it  was  the 
Lord's  doing  and  marvellous  to  me,  praifed  be  his 
holy  name  for  ever! 

Being  clear  of  Kendal,  we  took  leave  of  friends 
in  much  affection  and  went  to  a  general  meeting  at 
Brigflatts  in  Yorkiliire,  and  to  vifit  our  friend  Alice 
Alderfon,  who  had  been  on  a  religious  vifit  in  our 
country  with  Margaret  Cowpland,  whom  we  had 
before  feen  at  Kendal  where  (he  lives.  Alice  was 
elad  to  'fee  us,  and  we  found  her  tender  in  fpirit 
and  ftrong  in  her  love  to  friends ;  after  attending 
meetings  at  Ravonflonedale  and  Grifedale,  we  rode 
to  our  friend  John  Burton's,  who  with  his  compa- 
nion William  Backhoufe,  had  alfo  been  in  our  coun- 
try on  a  religious  vifit;  we  rejoiced  to  fee  him  and 
were  comforted  by  his  grave  converfation  and  con- 
dud:  We  then  went  to  a  meeting  at  Dent,  which 
was  large  and  favoured  by  the  overfliadowing  of 
Truth  in  a  good  degree,  in  the  loving  kindnefs  of 
our  Lord  who  is  worthy  of  all  praife  for  ever !  Then 
taking  feveral  meetings  in  Lancafliire  and  tarrying 
two  days  with  our  friend  William  Backhoufe,  which 
was  an  acceptable  reft  to  us,  the  weather  being  ve- 
ry cold,  the  ways  bad  and  we  weary,  we  came  to 
Lancafter,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  vifiting  our 
friend  Lydia  Lancafter,  who  feveral  years  pafl  had 
vifited  our  country;  her  faculties  of  mind  and  love 
to  friends  appeared  frefh  and  ftrong ;  from  thence 
attending  divers  other  meetings  in  that  county,  we 
went  to  our  friend  Samuel  Fothergill's  at  Warring- 
ton, where  we  continued  from  the  fecond  to  the 
fourteenth  of  the  firft  month  (New-ftile)  1752,  he 

and 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         m 

and  Sufanna  his  wife  being  tender  and  kindly  afTec- 
tionate,  we  were  relrelhed  in  their  company,  hav- 
ing feveral  meetings  in  that  town  and  at  Fenketh, 
fome  whereof  were  made  precious  by  the  ownings 
of  Truth.  Alter  many  other  meetings  in  this  coun- 
ty and  Yorklhire,  we  reached  Richmond  and  had  a 
meeting  with  friends  there,  and  next  morning  fet 
forward  with  a  guide  for  Mafliam,  in  order  to  at- 
tend a  meeting  there,  of  which  friends  had  previ- 
ous notice,  the  diflance  was  near  fixteen  miles,  the 
days  fhort,  and  roads  deep  and  miry;  after  we  had 
rode  five  or  lix  miles,  1  defired  our  guide  to  mend 
his  pace,  fearing  we  Ihould  be  late ;  a  little  further 
we  came  to  a  place  where  the  roads  parted,  and  he 
taking  the  left  hand  1  became  uneafy,  and  aiked 
him  if  he  perfectly  knew  the  way;  he  faid,  he 
thought  he  did,  I  let  him  know  my  being  in  doubt 
about  it,  and  defired  him  to  inquire  of  a  man  we 
faw  in  a  field  at  fome  dill?aice;  but  he  rode  on  yet 
fafter ;  when  I  told  him  that  I  was  perfu  aded  we 
had  almoft  turned  our  backs  on  the  way  we  fliould 
go,  at  which  he  fmiled ;  when  we  had  gone  about 
a  mile,  feeing  a  man  by  the  v/ay  fide  at  work,  I 
aOted  him  if  that  was  the  way  to  Mafham,  he  re- 
plied, nay,  for  you  have  left  it  and  mufl  go  back 
unlefs  your  horfes  can  leap  over  ditches  very  well, 
you  may  then  fave  a  mile,  and  pointing  over  a  field 
iliewed  us  a  moor,  on  the  other  fide  whereof  our 
right  road  was;  our  guide  fet  forward,  w^e  followed 
with  fome  difikulty  over  the  ditches,  and  he  rode 
on  a  gallop  and  foon  left  us ;  my  mind  inclined  me 
to  vary  from  his  courfe  and  efpying  a  gate,  called  to 
him,  pointing  to  it  and  proceeded  thither,  on  which 
he  turned  and  came  up,  but  faid  he  believed  we 
were  wrong*;  I  let  him  "know  that  my  mind  was 
eafy  to  go  that  way,  and  in  a  while  w^e  came  into  a 
road  at  a  public  houfe,  which  he  knew  to  be  right,  {o 
we  juft  reached  the  meetiaig  in  time,  which  through 

Divine 


.U2        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

Divine  favour  was  profitable  and  cdifyingi  I  men- 
tion this  pafl'age  with  no  other  view  than  to  encou- 
rage friends  to  be  inward  in  their  minds,  and  to 
regard  the  fecret  fenfe  which  the  pure  Spirit  of 
Truth  fom.etimes  gives  on  particular  occafions,  for 
want  of  an  inward  flillnefs  and  attention  thereunto, 
the  Vv^ay  is  often  milTed  in  more  refpeds  than  one. 

At  IVlafham  we  lodged  at  the  houfe  of  John  Kel- 
den,  who  related  to  me  fomething  that  palfed  be- 
tween a  Knight  of  the  Shire  and  one  of  his  Tenants^, 
a  member  of  our  religious  fociety,  in  manner 
following,  'L'/z. 

Landlord.  So  John,  you  are  bufy? 

Tenant.  Yes,  my  Landlord  loves  to  fee  his  Ten- 
ants bufy. 

Landl"^'  But  John  where  was  you  that  you  was 
not  at  your  quarterly-meeting  at  York  the  other 
day,  I  fav/  mod  of  your  ftanch  friends  there,  but 
you  I  milfed?  * 

Ten*^'  Why  thou  knoweft  I  have  a  curious  Land- 
lord, who  loves  to  fee  his  Tenants  thrive  and  pay 
their  rent  duly,  and  I  had  a  good  deal  in  hand  that 
kept  me  at  home. 

LandF*  Kept  you  at  home!  You  will  neither 
thrive  nor  pay  the  better  for  neglecting  your  duty, 
John. 

Ten^*  Then  I  perceive  my  Landlord  was  at  quar» 
terly-meeting,  how  didft  thou  like  it? 

Landl"^*  Like  it!  I  was  at  one  meeting  and  faw 
what  made  my  heart  ach. 

Ten'-  Wtet  was  that? 

Landl'^-  Why  the  drefs  of  your  young  folks,  the 
men  with  their  wigs,  and  young  women  with  their 
finery,  in  imitation  of  fafiiions ;  and  I  thought  I 
would  try*  another   meeting,  Jo.  nextr  day  I  went 

again. 


*  The  afTizes  are  held  at  York,   always  at  the  time  of 
the  quarterly-meeting. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        113 

again,  and  then  I  concluded  there  was  little  differ- 
ence but  the  bare  name,  between  us  whom  yon 
call  the  world's  people,  and  fome  of  you;  for  you 
are  imitating  of  us  in  the  love  and  fafliions  of  the 
world  as  fail  as  you  can';  fo  that  1  faid  in  my  heart, 
thefe  people  do  want  a  Fox,  a  Penn,  and  a  Barclay 
among  them,  and  fo  turned  from  his  Tenant, 

I  thought  it  would  be  a  pity  that  the  true  and 
folid  remark  of  this  great  man  iliould  be  loft, 
underftanding  that  it  was  rather  expreffed  in  pity 
than  derifion. 

'^  From  Mafliam  we  proceeded  to  vifit  many  other 
meetings  in  this  county,  in  the  courfe  whereof  we 
called  to  fee  good  old  John  Richardfon,.  who  was 
ftrong  in  fpirit  tho'  feeble  in  body,  and  nearly 
blind  through  age,  being  about  eighty  feven;  and 
finding  a  draught  to  vifit  friends  once  more  at  Scar- 
borough, we  were  there  on  firft  day  the  fifteenth 
of   the  third   month,    and  had  peace  in  my  own 

^mind,  having  done  what  I  thought  v/as  my  duty; 
but  from  a  fenfe  of  the  prevalence  of  pride,  which 
had  occafioned  a  great  poverty  as  to  true  relip-ion 
among  the  profcilbrs  of  truth  in  that  place,  I  left 
them  with  an  aching  heart,  and  went  on  our  jour- 
ney in  order  to  attend  the  quarterly-meeting  at 
York,  taking  meetings  in  our  way  at  Pickering, 
Thornton  in  the  Clay,  and  Huby.  The  feveral. 
fittings  of  this  quarterly  meeting  were  in  the  main 
f^tisfaclory,  but  not  having  time  fully  to  clear  my- 
felf,  did  not  leave  York  quite  eafy;  after  which, 
having  meetings  at  Clifforth,  Leedsj.  Gilderiham, 
Bradford,  Rawden,  Afquith,  Fairfield,  Keighley, 
Skipion  and  Lotherfdale,  we  rode  to  Settle,  and  then 
to  attend  the  quarterly  meeting  at  Lancafter,  which 
began  on  tl\e  lifth  day  of  the  week  with  a  meeting 
of  miniiters  and  elders,  and  was  comfortable;  next 
day  was  the  meeting  for  public  worlhip  and  the 
difcipline,  wherein  we  were  made  to  rejoice  togc- 

O  ther 


,14         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

ther  and  pralfe  the  name  of  the  Lord  who  is  wor- 
thy for  ever,  went  home  with  our  friend  W™*  Back- 
houfe,  and  fo  to  Kendal  quarterly-meeting,  which 
■was  fatisfactory  and  very  large;  then  fet  out  for 
the  quarterly-meeting  for  Cumberland,  held  at  Car- 
lifle,  which  began  with  a  meeting  of  miniflers  and 
elders,  next  day  were  held  two  public  meetings, 
and  the  day  following  a  meeting  for  the  difcipline, 
which  ended  in  the  afternoon  with  another  for  wor- 
fliip;  and  going  home  with  Chrillopher  Willfon, 
we  *vere  at  a  good  meeting  at  Pardfay  Hall  on  firft 
day. 

My  mind  had  been  for  fometime  drawn  towards 
Ireland,  and  being  defn-ous  to  lofe  no  time,  we 
went  to  Whitehaven,  feveral  vellels  being  there 
nearly  laden  with  coals  for  Dublin ;  but  on  viewing 
the  fhips  accompanied  by  feveral  friends  from  Gray- 
fothen,  I  had  no  freedom  to  take  a  paffage  in  either 
of  them,  at  which  I  was  much  firaitened,  and  in- 
wardly turning  my  mind,  Ireland  was  hid  from  my 
view,  and  going  to  the  houie  of  a  friend  we  fat  a 
while  ftill,  and  I  had  freedom  to  let  friends  know 
that  I  had  no  profpecl  but  the  velfels  might  go  their 
voyage  with  fafety,  and  did  not  decline  a  paffage 
onthat  account;  but  feeling  a  full  ftop  in  my  mind, 
had  no  freedom  to  proceed  any  where  at  prefent, 
fave  to  return  with  our  friends  John  and  Hannah 
Harris  to  Highficld;  we  therefore  returned  with 
them,  and  attended  Pardfay  Hall  monthly-meeting, 
where  I  had  freedom  to  propofe  that  friends  would 
enter  on  the  fervicc  of  vifiting  families;  they  in- 
formed ine  that  fomc  years  before  they  had  nomi- 
nated friends  for  that  fervice,  but  meeting  with 
fome  difcouragement  they  had  not  performed  -it, 
and  being  about  to  turn  over  the  bo^k  to  fee  who 
were  then  appointed,  confidcring  it  was  a  long  time 
fmce,  they  concluded  it  was  better. to  proceed  to  a 
new  choice,    but  fcemed  at  a  (land  about  naming 

friends 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         115 

friends  then ;  I  had  a  fingular  freedom  to  let  them 
know,    that  altho'    I  was  a  Itranger,  I  could  point 
out  fome  who  I  beUeved  would  anfwer  the  fervice  if 
they  would  fubmit  to  it:  After  a  foUd  paufe,  a  friend 
faid,  as  our  friend  has  the  matter  before  him  I  am 
free  that  he  (hould  choofe  for  us ;  to  which  I  re- 
plied, that  being  a  (Iranger  to  their  members,  one 
might  be  chofen  who  was  under  fome  impediment, 
and  therefore  it  would  be  fafer  for  the  meeting  to 
choofe;  but  perceiving  they  were  at  a  lofs,  I  point- 
ed out  a  fev/  friends  in  great  fear,  with  a  fmgle  eye 
to  the  fenfe  which  I  did  believe  truth  gave  me,  and 
the  clerk  took  their  names ;  a  friend  faid  he  believed 
it  was  the  truth  which  had  made  the  chocie ;  I  then 
mentioned,    that    if   they  could   foon   enter  upon 
the  fervice,  I  found  a  freedom  to  accompany  them 
therein,  if  friends  had  unity  therewith,  which  feve- 
ral  expreifed,  fome  women  friends  being  aifo  named 
by  their  meeting  to  join  in  it;   before  the  fervice 
was  much  proceeded  in,    a  heavy   concern   came 
upon  me  from  a  fecret  fenfe  I  had,  that  one  of  them 
was  under  the  cenfure  of  fome,  by  which  I  feared 
her  fervice  would  be  laid  wafte,  unlels  it  could  be 
removed,    and  altho'  I  had  no  intimation  of  any 
thing  of  the  kind  from  any  perfon,  I  became  hea- 
vily exercifed,    and  at  length  requefted  a  friend  to 
invite  the  man  and  his  wife  to  dine  with  him,  who 
I  apprehended  were  uneafy  with  the  woman,  and 
I  dehred  her  and  her  hufband  to  come  to  the  famf^ 
houfe  in  the  afternoon,  who  accordingly  came>  thus 
the  parties  being  met  unexpectedly  to  each  other, 
I    was    humbled    under  the  weight  attending   my 

I  mind,  and  no  others  being  prefcnt  except  the  triend 
and  his  wife  at  whofe  houfe  we  were,  I  ventured 

,   to  let  them  know  the  exercife  I  had  been  under 
fome  days,    from  an  apprehenfion  of  a  difference, 
or  prejudice  fubfifting  between  them,  which  it  not 
removed  would  devour  like  fire,    by  which  I  be- 
lieved. 


ii6         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

lieved  they  were,    already  much  alTecled,  but  as  I 
had  not  received  information,  more  or  lef?,  I  might 
be  miftaken,  and  did  not  defire  they  fhould  lay  any 
tl:ing  on  the  fubje6l  before  me,  but  honeftly  confer 
on  it  between  thcmfelves  xirft,  and  if  it  was  fo,  re- 
move the  caufe,    and  if  nothing  was  amifs  then  to 
let  me  know,    that  I  might  be  warned  to  be  more 
cautious  in  future;    upon  which  I  left  them,  and 
walked  by  myfelf  about  an  hour,  when  the  man  of 
the  houfe  called  me  in,    and  they  told  me,  that  I 
was  not  miftaken,  for  that  there  had  been  an  hard- 
nefs  fubhiiing  for  fometime,  which  they  hoped  was 
now  done  away;    but  when  in  the  courfe  of  our 
vifit,  we  came  to  the  houfe  of  the  friends  who  had 
been  uneafy,    I  felt   it  as  frefn  as  before,  and  told 
them  I  did  believe  they  wrre  not  eafy  that  the  friend 
fliouid  go  on  in  the  fervice;  to  w^hich  one  of  them 
anfwered,    if   {he   judges   herfelf   to   be   clear  and 
others  are  eafy,  I  have  no  objection;  whereupon  I 
alkcd  what  others  were  meant;    the  man  replied, 
her  hufband  and  relations;  and  as  the  matter  refled 
upon   me,   it  appeared  that  endeavours  ought  to  be 
lifed  for  reconciliation  before  we  could  with  fatis- 
faclion  proceed  on  our  vifit,  and  believing  that  the 
Lord  had  fecretly  engaged  me,  I  hoped  he  would 
accompany  and   blefs  the  labour  for  the  reftoration 
of   peace,    Avhich  in  a  few  days  he  was  pleafed  to 
accoinplifh,    and  then  we  proceeded  more  cheerful- 
ly,   and  I  think  I  may  fay  that  the  Lord  was  with 
us,  to  the  praife  of  his  great  eternal  name,  who  is 
ivorthy  for  ever. 

We  vifitcd  the  families  of  friends  in  Whitehaven, 
Broughton,  Cockermouth,  Pardfay  Hall,  Eaglef- 
fi eld  and  Grayfothen,  and  otliers  remote,  and  had 
feveral  profitable  public  meetings  in  thofe  towns  and 
|.laccs  adjacent;  having  fpent  about  feven  weeks 
within  the  verge  of  Pardfay  Hail  monthly  meeting 
'^rd  fmcjing  my  mind  clear,  v/c  went  to  Whitehaven 

and 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         117 

and  took  paifage  in  the  fhip  Globe,  James  Grafon 
mafler  for  Ireland  on  the  eighth  of  the  fixth  month 
(1752,)  N.  S.  and  parting  with  our  dear  friends  in 
much  love,  fet  fail  about  the  fifth  hour  in  the  even- 
ing, and  landed  at  Dublin  on  the  eleventh  of  the 
"fame  month,  ^nd  were  idndly  received  at  the  houfe 
of  Samuel  Judd;  as  I  was  going  to  which,  this 
fecret  hint  was  prefented  to  my  mind,  "  Live  retir- 
ed, and  be  not  fuddenly  acquainted  with  any  man/' 
After  dinner  our  kind  landlord  faid,  I  do  not  well 
in  that  I  have  not  informed  friends  of  your  arrival, 
they  will  blame  me;  I  anfwered,  let  us  firfl  know 
that  we  are  here,  we  have  juft  come  from  fea  and 
are  weary;  for  we  had  a  troublefome  paffage  by  con- 
trary winds  and  heavy  rains,  John  Pemberton  my 
companion  having  been  very  fea  fick,  and  myfelf  a 
little  fo;  the  next  day  we  attended  Sycamore  Alley 
meeting,  where  we  had  the  company  of  Sufanna 
Hatton,  who  had  been  in  America  with  Iluth 
Courtney;  Vv'e  were  at  eight  meetings  in  Dublin,  al- 
fo  at  a  monthly-meeting,  and  a  quarterly- meeting  for 
their  young  people,  in  which  I  was  deeply  concern- 
ed under  confideration  of  the  prevalence  of  pride 
and  the  world's  falliions,  which  was  declared  to  them' 
in  the  love  of  truth,  and  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to 
favour  feveral  of  the  meetings  by  his  heavenly  pre- 
fence,  to  the  praife  of  his  holy  name. 

Leaving  this  city  we  went  towards  the  North;  at 
.  Drogheda  there  is  a  meeting  houfe  belo'^ging  to 
friends,  but  they  are  there  fo  declined  we  could 
.not  have  a  meeting  to  fatisfadion,  we  therefore 
went  on  to  a  meeting  with  a  few  friends  at  Rathfre- 
land  in  the  county  of  Down,  then  to  Monallen, 
where  the  meeting  was  comfortable,  and  on  firll 
day  had  two  meetings  at  Lurgan  in  the  county  of 
Armagh,  at  which  place  pride  and  a  worldly  Ipirit 
much  prevails;  then  taking  meetings  at  Newton, 
Lifburn.  Hill(borough,  and  Ballinderry  in  the  county 


ii8        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

of   Antrim,    the  lad  of  which  was  a  large  good 
meeting;  we  had  one  at  Antrim,  where  the  favour 
of  Truth  feems  much  loft  by  the  few  profeflbrs 
there;    we  then  pafled  on  to  the  Grange  meeting, 
which  was  very  dull,   through  the  prevalence  of  a 
worldly  dark  fpirit,  and  from  thence  to  a  meeting 
at  Ballynacre  and  fo  to  Colerain,  where  we  had  a 
fatlsfadory  opportunity  with  fome  of   the  town's 
people  who  came  to  the  meeting  out  of  curiofity; 
but  I  felt  no  freedom  to  exprefs  the  fenfe  I  had  of 
the  flate  of  frier.ds  then,  and  as  the  meeting  broke 
up  I   flept  to  a  young  woman,  a  friend,  who  lived 
near  the  meeting  houfe,  and  defned  her  to  ftep  for- 
ward and  turn  the  few  friends  in  there,  as  fhe  knew 
them,  and  let  the  others  go  by,  which  Ihe  readily 
performed;    when  \\c  were  all  fet  down  round  the 
room,  it  foon  felt  to  me  that  if  I  delivered  my  con- 
cern in  general  terms,  the  intended  end  would  not 
be  anfwered,    being  in  pain  for  their  good,    and 
clofe   matters  fpoken   might   be  taken  by  fuch  to 
whom  they  lead  belonged,  and  being  greatly  hum- 
bled,   I  was  defirous  to  be  rightly  inftrucled,  (not 
knowing  their  names)  to  fpeak  to  them  feparately; 
the  Lord  who  never  fails  thofe  who  humbly  truil  in 
him,    fhe  wed  me  where  and  with  whom  to  begin, 
and  fo  to  the  next,  and  mine  eye  being  fixed  on  the 
perfon  to  whom  I  directed  my  fpeech,    each  knew 
what   was  delivered  to  them   in   particular,  and  I 
hope  the  opportunity  was  beneficial;  for  I  had  great 
peace:    When  the  friends  were  gone  1  afked  the 
voung  woman,  who  feemed  in  fome  furprize,  what 
ailed  her,    Ihe  faid  that  feveral  were  very  exaclly 
told  their  condition,  and  feared  they  would  judge 
her  for  an  informer;  I  told  her  Ihe  need  not  matter 
that,  as  fhe  knew  herfelf  to  be  innocent.     1  menti- 
on this  occurrence  as  a  remarkable  kindnefs  from 
tl;c  merciful  Lord  to  the  children  of  men,  for  their 
help  and  initructicn,  and  that  his  fcrvants  may  be 

encou- 


OF    JOHN    CHURGHMAN.        119 

encouraged  to  wait  upon  him  for  inftruclion  to  dif- 
charge  their  duty  as  faithful  (lewards  in  his  fight, 
who  knows  the  fecrets  of  all  hearts,  and  taught 
his  fervant  in  old  time  to  know  the  wife  of  Jero- 
boam, tho'  (lie  feigned  hcrfelf  to  be  another  w^o- 
man.  Bleifed,  and  magnified  be  his  holy  name 
who  is  over  all  worthy  for  ever  and  ever! 

Then  taking  meetings  at  Toberhead,  Cnarle- 
mont,  and  Ballyhagan,  we  attended  the  men's 
meeting  at  Lurgan,  having  a  great  dehre^to  fit  with 
friends  there  in  the  management  of  their  difcipline, 
which  w^as  adjourned  to  this  time  at  my  requefr;  it 
began  with  a  meeting  for  woriliip,  men  and  women 
being  generally  together,  at  the  conclufion  of 
which,  the  men  went  into  the  room  where  the 
meeting  tor  bufinefs  was  ufually  held,  when  after 
fitting  fometime  in  filence,  a  leading  friend  faid, 
*'  This  is  only  an  adjourned  meeting,  and  bid  the 
clerk  enter  it  and  they  might  adjourn  to  the  ufual 
time  to  do  their  bufinefs,  when  it  would  be  mere 
fele^t;"  and  the  meeting  fitting  a  while  without 
proceeding  any  way,  I  afked  them  what  was  meant 
by  the  words,  more  felecl,  and  further  faid,  if  any 
perfons  were  prefent  that  had  not  a  right  to  fit  there, 
they  fhould  withdraw,  they  knew  their  own  mem- 
bers; if  they  meant  the  friend  waio  came  with  us, 
he  was  a  neighbouring  friend  and  an  elder;  and  as 
for  myfelf,  I  edeemed  myfelf  a  proper  member  of 
their  meeting,  as  I  came  to  viHt  them  w^ith  the  con- 
currence of  my  brethren  at  home,  and  had  certifi- 
cates from  them,  wherein  I  was  recommended  to 
friends  in  Europe  and  elfe  where,  and  if  I  did  any 
thing  among  them  worthy  of  cenfure,  I  (hould  fub- 
mit  to  their  dealing,  and  therefore  defired  them  to 
go  on  with  their  bufinefs,  for  I  had  come  thither 
with  a  concern  to  fee  hovv^  the  affairs  of  the  church 
went  on;  fo  without  more  debate  or  much  reply 
they  proceeded,  and  to  my  furprize,  things  of  dif- 

order 


T20  TrIE     LIFE    AKD     TRAVELS 

order  had  lain  federal  years  without  proper  dealing 
with  various  o/^'enders,  fuch  as  drinkers  of  healths, 
fome  that  had  been  at  cocktlghtings  and  races,  and 
one  or  more  marriages  out  of  the  order  of  truth; 
which  gave  me  an  opportunity  to  clear  myfelf  fully 
of  the  concern  that  had  for  fome  days  lain  with 
weight  on  my  mind,  which  I  beheve  was  accepta- 
ble to  fome  fecretly  pained  friends,  however  con- 
trary to  fome  others;  fo  that  I  left  the  place  with  a 
peaceful  mind,  and  thankful  to  the  Lord  who  had 
given  me  an  innocent  boldnefs  to  aifert  my  right 
of  memberfhip;  for  I  believe  if  we  had  not  been 
therCj  the  meeting  would  have  been  thought  feled:. 
We  then  went  to  Ulfter  Province-meeting  at  Bal- 
lyhagan  which  held  two  days,  the  elders  and  other 
concerned  friends  here  inquire  into  the  ftate  of 
things  among  their  members  in  the  province,  and 
it  was  in  the  main  a  fatisfaclory  meeting;  from 
hence  we  went  Southward,  taking  meetings  at 
Cafllelhanc,  Coothill,  Ballyhais,  and  Old  Caille^ 
and  to  Ballymurry  in  Connaught,  having  a  meeting 
in  a  barn  at  Gailey  with  a  fev/  friends,  it  being  the 
only  one  kept  up  in  that  provice,  except  at  Athione, 
which  we  likewife  attended,  and  came  to-  James 
Clibborn's  at  the  Moat  of  Granoge,  where  we  alfo 
had  a  meeting;  ahho'  I  had  travelled  every  day 
for  more  than  a  week  with  a  fever  on  me  and  had 
eaten  little,  occafioned  as  1  thought  by  a  cold  taken 
by  laying  in  damp  beds,  and  was  now  very  unwell, 
but  fat  the  firft  day  meeting ;  next  day  my  illnefs 
became  very  violent,  fo  that  friends  thought  I  Ihould 
lay  my  body  there,  and  fent  for  an  apothecary  who 
let  me  blood,  v/hich  fomewhat  allayed  the  fever 
and  I  fell  into  a  lleep,  when  I  began  to  bleed  again, 
wUich  brought  me  very  weak,  that  I  was  awakened 
at  midnight  with  great  drops  of  fwcat  on  my  face, 
and  ficwucfs;  and  calling  my  comp;\nion  who  watcli- 
cd  with  me,    we  found  that  1  had  bled  much,  the 

orifice 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        i2t 

brlfice  in  my  arm  being  very  large  and  not  carefully 
bound  up;  my  kind  landlord  and  his  wile  being 
anxious  about  me,  had  prevailed  with  the  apothecary 
to  lodge  in  the  houfe,  who  being  called  to  me,  on 
his  coming  I  delired  him  to  peel  a  bladder  and  ap- 
ply a  thin  piece  of  it  about  as  broad  as  a  half-penny 
on  the  wound;  he  afked  for  what;  I  told  him  he 
■would  fee,  and  v/hen  it  was  applied  I  requeited  him 
to  hold  his  finger  on  the  piece  over  the  orifice  fo  as 
to  flop  the  blood,  until  the  plaifter  dried  and  (luck, 
which  it  foon  did  and  it  bled  no  more ;  he  faid  that 
he  had  not  feen  the  like.  I  mention  this  for  the 
fake  of  others,  for  the  bladder  llicks  as  the  blood 
under  it  dries,  and  will  ftop  the  bleeding  of  almoit 
any  wound.  Next  morning  a  graduate  phyfician 
of  the  town  came  to  vifit  me,  and  feeling  my  pulfe, 
I  afked  him  what  he  thought  of  me?  He  making^ 
no  anfwer,  I  faid  be  not  afraid  to  tell  me,  for  1  am 
not  afraid  to  hear;  he  replied,  "  that  is  happy  for 
you,"  by  which  I  fuppofed  he  thought  1  fhould  not 
recover;  he  viewed  my  fpittle  and  faid  I  was  in  a 
deep  conlumption,  and  propofed  my  taking  a  vo- 
mit; I  told  him  that  I  had  not  taken  one  many 
years,  befides  as  he  judged  my  lungs  were  inflam- 
ed,  a  moderate  purge  was  better;  at  which  he  re- 
plied with  an  air  of  banter,  "  you  are  an  odd  pati- 
ent, come,  you  fhall  be  phyfician  and  I  will  be  apo- 
thecary;" I  took  him  at  his  word  and  he  lent  me  a 
purge  which  gave  me  fome  relief;  he  vifited  me 
daily  for  a  week,  and  could  hardly  believe  I  fliould 
recover,  tho'  I  told  him  I  believed  that  I  fliould, 
he  flill  judged  my  cough  to  be  confumptive,  and 
at  length  told  me,  if  I  did  receiver  to  go  home  as 
foofi  as  I  could,  for  that  the  Lord  was  more  nierci- 
ful  than  to  require  fuch  ah  one  as  I  was  to  travel 
as  I  did,  and  that  I  had  already  adedas  a  madman 
to  travel  fo  long  time  with  that  fever  before  I  lay 
by;  I  afked  him,  if  he  was  mafter  of  a  velTel  at  fea 

K  which 


iiz         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

which  had  fprani;  a  leak  that  could  not  be  flopped, 
what  he  would  do?  he  replied,  endeavour  to  make 
to  the  next  port  for  a  dry  dock  to  unlade  and  fearch 
out  the  leak;  why  doclor  laid  I,  this  is  jufi:  my  cale, 
I  faw  no  place  to  lay  by  until  I  came  hither,  at 
which  he  laughed,    and  wiihed  me  Avell ;  I  think  I 
never  was  reduced  to  io  weak  a  ftate  in  fo  Ihort  a 
time,  which  might  be  occa honed  by  my  great  lofs 
of  blood;    but  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  heal  me, 
that  I  gathered  ilrength  to  admiration,  and  on  firft 
day  fat  the  meeting,  which  was  comfortable,  and 
continuing  to  recover  thb*  not  fit  to  travel,  1  tarried 
until  fourth  day  and  attended  their  monthly  meet- 
ing,   and  underftanding  they  had  been  endeavour- 
ing to  vifit  families,  but  were  backward  in  begin- 
ning, 1  told  friends  that  I  had  a  freedom  to  accom- 
pany them  in  the  work  for  a  few  days  for  their  en- 
couragement, and   we  accordingly  went  with  them 
to  a  few  places  to  good  fatisfaclion,    and  friends 
received   ftrength  to  go  on  with  the  fervice.     Then 
taking  an  atfcdionate  leave  of  our  kind  landlord 
James  Clibborn,  and  his  wife  who  is  grand-daughter 
to  Robert  Barclay  the  apologifl:,  we  wxnt  to  meet- 
ings at  Birr,  Kiiconnermoor,  Cafhell,  Kiilcommon, 
Clonfinell,    Youghall,    and  fo  to  Cork  on  the  firll 
day  of  the  week,  where  we  alio  attended  the  men's 
meeting   for  difcipline,    and    vifited  the    women's 
meeting,    whicii  were  both  to  fome  good  fatistac- 
tion;    then  going  to  Bandon,    we  returned  to  an 
appointed   meeting  at   Cork  for  parents  and  their 
children,    and  having   ftrength  given  me  to  clear 
myfelf,    it  was,  1  hope  profitable  to  many,  being  a 
large  meeting;  ^wp  then  went  to  Maid,  and  had  a 
feafonable  opportunity    with    a  family   of   friends, 
thence  to  the  Province-meeting  for  Munlttr  held  at 
Limerick,    the  public  and  feled  fittings  of  which 
and  for  the  difcipline  ended  comfortably;  and  alter 
attending  the  week  day  meeting,    we  went  to  a 

meeting 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        123 

meeting  at  Rofs,  and  returned  to  Limerick,  and 
being  unwell  with  a  cold  we  tarried  their  meetings 
on  fird  day,  which  were  large  and  fatisfaclory-j 
and  in  the  evening  had  one  with  a  fick  friend; 
being  clear,  and  taking  three  meetings  in  our 
way,  we  proceeded  to  Leinfter  Province-meeting  at 
Moantmelick,  which  began  on  the  fixth  day  of  the 
week  with  a  meeting  of  niiniiters,  the  next  day  for 
worfhip  and  the  difcipline,  and  on  hrft  day  morn- 
ing was  a  large  and  precious  meeting,  in  the  after- 
noon the  town^s  people  came  in  and  it  was  a  good 
fatisfadory  meeting,  tho'  not  fo  large,  friends  be- 
ing moftly  gone  home.  We  had  a  meeting  next 
day  at  Tullamoor,  and  returning  to  Mountmelic 
had  a  fatisfactory  one  w^ith  the  children  in  the  fchool 
of  James  Gough;  after  the  week  day  meeting  in 
this  town  we  went  to  Ballacarrol,  Ballanakei  and 
Cooperhiil,  having  a  meeting  at  each;  then  to 
Catherlough  monthly  meeting  on  firfl:  day,  and 
the  next  day  to  Athy,  then  to  Ballitore  which  was 
through  Divine  Goodnefs  attending,  made  profita- 
ble, and  we  had  alfo  a  fatisfaftory  meeting  with  the 
fcholars  in  Abraham  Shackleton^s  fchool;  after  a 
meeting  at  Newton  v/e  went  to  Samuel  Watfon's  at 
Killconner,  whofe  wife  (late  Abigail  Bowles)  had 
been  on  a  religious  vifit  in  America  feveral  years 
pail,  fhe  was  now  near  her  end,  but  feniible  and  in 
a  good  frame  of  fpirit,  and  greatly  rejoiced  to  fee 
us,  and  we  were  mutually  comforted  in  a  fenfe  of 
the  Lord^s  prefence,  for  v/hich  his  holy  name  was 
praifed;  after  a  meeting  here  and  another  at  Cather- 
lough we  w-ent  to  Waterford,  and  fat  v/ith  friends 
in  their  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening  m^eetings 
on  the  firfl  day,  in  all  v/hich  having  cleared  my- 
felf  honeflly,  my  ipirlt  mourned  under  a  fenfe  of 
formality  among  the  people,  and  a  deadnefs  to  the 
pure  inw^ard  life  of  religion;  then  taking  meetings 
at  Rofs,    Lambftown,    Wexford,  Randah-mills  or 

Caftle- 


124        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

Caitlefaw,  Cooladine,  and  feveral  other  places  we 
came  to  Wicklow,  at  which  meeting  many  fokliers 
attended  who  behaved  well,  and  truth  owned  the 
fcr.vice  in  a  good  degree.  I  have  obferved  where  the 
foldiers  came  into  our  meetings,  they  were  an  awe 
to  the  rabble  and  loofe  people,  who  are  fometimes 
apt  to  be  rude ;  from  hence  we  went  to  Dublin  in 
order  to  attend  the  national  half-years-meeting,  and 
were  kindly  received  by  our  old  landlord  Sam^uel 
Judd  and  his  family. 

Leinitcr  Province-meeting  began   on  fecond  day 
the  fixth  of   the  eleventh  month,  both  for  worlhip 
and  difcipline,  and  on  third  day  the  national  meet- 
ing, which  held  tour  days ;  the  feveral  fittings  there- 
of being  in  general  attended  with  a  fenfe  of  Divine 
Gooonefs,  and  the  teflimony  of  Truth  ran  ftrong 
againft    hypocrify,    covetoufnefs,    libertinifm,    and 
pride  among  the  profeflors  thereof;  but  in  a  confo- 
latory  llream  to  the  humble  and  contrite  children 
of    the   family,    in   a   thankful   fenfe   whereof   the 
name  of  the  Lord  was  praifed,  who  is  worthy  for 
ever  and  ever!  We  tarried  a  few  days  longer  with 
friends  in  Dublin,    and  then  went  to  meetings  at 
Baltibovs,    Timahoe,   Rathangan,    and   Edenderry, 
and   a  religious    fitting   in    John  Pirn's    family   at 
Nurney,    then    returning    to    Edenderry    attended 
their  monthly-meeting,  where  having  a  concern  to 
vifit  fome  families  of  friends,  we  went  to  moll  of 
them  in  that  town  and  to  the  houfe  of  a  widow  in 
the  country,  where  we  had  a  good  opportunity  with 
lier  and   her  children;    I  aiked  the  friend  who  ac- 
companied us,  whether  there  was  any  other  Iriend's 
lioufe  to  which  we  had  not  been;  he  faid  he  thought 
not;  but  my  mind  had  a  draught  to  fome  houfe  and 
1  pointed  toward  it,  he  then  faid  he  believed  he  knew 
where;    fo  we  went  to  the  place,    and  the  family 
being  called  together,  1  inquired  whether  there  was 
jiot  another  belonging  to  the  houfe,  and  was  told 

therq 


OF    JO  FIN    CHURCHMAN.         tz^- 

there  was ;  as  foon  as  he  came,  I  knew  it  was  the 
man  whom  my  mind  was  concerned  to  vifit,  and 
fomething  I  had  to  exprefs  reached  and  tendered 
him  very  much,  he  being  exceeding  wild  and  fafhi- 
enable  and  did  not  love  to  attend  religious  meet- 
ings, but  truth  now  reached  him;  on  the  firfl  day 
following  I  faw  him  at  Edenderry  meeting,  where 
the  vifitation  feemed  to  be  renewed  to  him ;  I  af- 
terwards heard  that  he  continued  to  be  fober  and 
thoughtful,  and  I  was  thankful  to  the  Lord  that  he 
was  pleafed  to  condefcend  in  mercy  to  gather  the  out- 
cafl  of  Ifrael.  Being  clear  of  this  place,  I  returned 
to  Dublin,  and  having  a  concern  on  my  mind  to 
vifit  the  families  of  fome  who  made  profeiTion 
of  truth  but  were  diforderly  in  their  conducf,  we 
began  that  fervice,  being  accompanied  by  feveral 
friends,  and  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  own  the  work. 
During  our  flay  we  were  careful  to  attend  all  the 
meetings  in  this  city  for  worihip  and  difcipline,  one 
of  which  was  a  quarterly-meeting  for  the  youth, 
in  which  many  were  tendered  by  the  love  of  God, 
through  Jefus  Chrifl  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  We  vi- 
fited  about  fixty  families,  in  moil  whereof  the  Lord 
was  pleafed  to  favour  with  authority  to  fet  the  tefli- 
mony  of  truth  over  the  heads  of  the  corrupt,  dif- 
orderly profelTors,  and  to  influence  with  under- 
ilanding  to  divide  the  word  and  counfel  of  truth  to 
the  diiferent  ftates  of  thofe  we  vifited;  in  an  hum- 
ble fenfe  whereof,  let  my  foul  obey  and  adore  him 
who  is  alone  worthy  for -ever! 

As  1  apprehended  the  w-omen's  meeting  to  be 
llack  of  doing  their  part  of  duty  as  true  helps  in 
the  exercife  of  the  difcipline,  and  a  proper  care 
over  the  flock  and  family  of  the  Lord,  a  weighty 
concern  attended  me  to  exprefs  in  writing  my  fenfe 
of  what  was  the  proper  bufmefs  belonging  to  wo- 
men's meetings,  which  I  fliewed  to  the  men  friends, 
and  had  their  concurrence  to  lay  it  before  the  wo- 

men^s 


vi(-         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

men's  meeting  in  order  for  their  encouragement 
and  practice  in  the  wildom  of  Truth,  and  it  was 
alterwards  fcnt  to  the  women's  meetings  through- 
out the  nation. 

The  veffel  in  which  \vc  came  to  Ireland  being 
ready  to  fail,  and  the  mailer  defirous  of  our  com- 
pany to  return  with  him,  I  felt  fo  clear  and  eafy 
that  I  intended  to  go;  but  when  he  fent  us  word 
to  come  on  board,  I  was  more  inclined  to  flay  that 
day,  and  w-ent  to  meeting,  being  firll:  day,  and  he 
failed;  but  meeti:ig  with  contrary  winds  and  dark 
weather,  was  obliged  to  put  back  into  Dublin  har- 
bour after  about  a  week's  fatigue;  my  being  with- 
held from  embarking,  I  thought  was  a  remarka- 
ble kindnefs  and  lavour  Irom  my  great  and  good 
Mafter;  praifed  be  his  name!  we  had  afterwards 
feveral  good  meetings,  in  fome  of  which  it  became 
my  concern  to  recommend  fiience  by  example,  of 
w4iich  they  ilccd  in  much  need;  and  on  the  twenty- 
third  of  the  firfl  month  (1753,)  after  having  tra- 
velled in  Ireland  thirteen  hundred  and  fifteen  miles, 
and  had  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  meetings,  be- 
fides  many  family  vifits,  feeling  my  mind  to  be 
fully  clear,  we  went  on  board  a  fliip  of  Whitehaven, 
Allen  Wilfon  mafter,  having  in  much  love  taken 
leave  of  our  friends;  and  after  a  (hort,  but  Itormy 
rough  palTage  of  about  tvventy-three  hours,  arrived 
at  Whitehaven  with  hearts  humbly  thanklui  to  the 
Lord  who  had  preferved  us;  the  mafter  faying, 
that  he  had  not  known  t-he  like  for  twelve  year?, 
aitlio'  he  had  failed  between  the  tvv^o  ports  very 
conftantly.  Next  day  after  our  arrival,  our  friend 
John  Harris  of  llighfield,  with  whom  we  had  leit 
our  horfes,  brought  them  to  us  and  we  went  home 
with  him,  and  vifiting  the  meetings  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, feveral  of  which,  particularly  the  laft 
at  Pardfay  Hall,  were  large  and  precious  opportu- 
nities, and  I  thouglit  I  could  perceive  that  my  for- 
mer 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         127 

mer  painful  labours  among  them  had  been  bleffed, 
for  which  1  was  truly  thankful  to  the  holy  head  of 
the  church  and  mailer  of  the  alTemblies  of  his  peo- 
ple. From  thence  we  went  to  Lortonhall  and  had 
an  evening  meeting  with  the  people  of  the  town, 
to  which  came  the  priefc  and  moit  of  his  hearers, 
and  altho'  the  craft  and  condu6t  of  the  hirelings 
were  much  fet  forth,  all  was  quiet  and  it  ended 
well. 

From  thence  we  went  to  Kendal  and  fraying  a 
general  mxeting  there,  proceeded  to  diners  others 
in  Yorkjhire,  and  Lancafnire,  and  to  one  v/e  had 
appointed  at  Coin,  where  are  no  members  of  our 
fociety,  and  tho'  a  poor  dark  town  in  refpeft  to  re- 
ligion, the  people  behaved  foberly,  and  m.any  were 
tendered  by  the  gentle^  yet  powerful  reaches  of 
Heavenly  goodnefs;  and  I  may  fay,  that  in  riding 
through  fom.e  towns  in  England  ¥/here  no  friend 
dwelt,  I  felt  a  fecret  falutation  of  love  to  the  inha- 
bitants, tho'  as  a  feed  yet  ungathered;  but  my 
prefent  buhnefs  in  general  was  to  the  children  of 
the  family,  that  v/hen  it  ihall  pleafe  the  Lord  to  opeii 
the  eyes  of  others  to  behold  Zion,  no  {tumbling 
block  might  appear  to  oifend  the  beholders,  or  dim 
her  heavenly  beauty. 

From  hence  pafiing  to  Halifax  we  had  a  large 
open  meeting  there,  and  divers  others  in  Yorklliire, 
until  we  came  to  our  friend  John  Hallam's  at  Hanf- 
worth-Woodhoufe,  then  to  Sheffield,  where  we  vi- 
fited  fome  families  to  our  fatisfaftion,  and  after  at- 
tending two  meetings  in  Derbyfhire  returned  to  J. 
Hailam's,  and  again  to  Sheffield,  and  fat  their  m.orn- 
ing  meeting  on  firil  day,  and  in  the  afternoon  at- 
tended the  burial  of  Ellen  Atwick,  a  friend  of  good 
repute,  to  which  many  people  came  and  I  had  a 
favourable  opportunity;  being  then  clear,  I  went 
to  Blythe  in  Nottinghamfhire  and  had  a  m.eeting, 
and  feveral  i«  other  towns  this  week,  and  reached 

Raw- 


t28        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Rawcliff  in  York/liire  on  firfl  day;  on  the  night' 
before  I  had  a  dream  which  much  afFeded  me; 
"  I  thought  I  heard  a  kind  of  melody  and  fmging 
at  my  left  hand,  whereupon  I  faid,  What  do  ye 
rejoice  at;  which  continuing  I  faid,  your  fmging  is 
fomewhat  hkc  David's  rejoicing  before  the  ark,  but 
I  fee  it  not,  and  heard  a  voice  on  my  right  faying, 
the  ark  is  in  the  land  of  the  Philiftines,  where  it 
was  taken  through  the  wickednefs  of  the  priefts  and 
fms  of  the  people,  who  removed  the  ark  from  Shi- 
loh  to  Ifrengthen  them  in  battle;"  whereupon  I 
awoke  and  was  under  fome  exercife  for  a  time, 
concluding  it  was  ominous,  but  faw  no  further, 
until  we  went  to  meeting  in  the  forenoon,  where  I 
foon  heard  a  kind  of  tuneful  fighing,  which  kept 
increafmg,  and  turning  my  head  to  difcover  from 
whence  it  came,  found  it  to  be  at  my  left  hand;  after 
a  while  a  perfon  flood  up  and  fpoke  a  few  fentences 
of  extraordinary  enjoyments  which  were  to  be  felt; 
my  mind  was  pained,  and  after  he  fat  down  I  Hood 
up  and  laid,  What  are  ye  doing?  and  what  do  you 
feel  to  occafion  this  rejoicing?  and  fliould  have  pro* 
ceeded  to  have  told  them  my  thoughts,  but  inflant- 
ly  my  dream  came  into  my  mind,  and  fo  with  little 
addition  fat  down  very  forrowful;  after  the  meeting 
I  went  to  dinner,  but  could  not  eat  much  or  be 
chearful;  at  the  afternoon  meeting  we  had  the  fame 
tune  until  my  fpirit  was  afflicled;  but  labouring  to 
know  that  quiet  which  is  not  eafdy  difturbcd,  I  re- 
ceived ftrength  in  a  loving  frame  of  mind  to  inform 
them,  that  I  feared  they  were  milhiken  in  their 
ftates  and  conditions,  for  that  death  reigned,  and 
it  was  rather  a  time  of  mourning:  And  as  truth 
arofe  in  fome  good  degree,  that  floating  formal  fea 
became  dried  up;  and  in  the  evening  having  the 
company  of  the  chief  fmger  among  them,  I  had  a 
fingular  freedom  fimply  to  relate  my  dream  to  him, 
with  a  dcfire  that  he   might  examine  whether  the 

ark 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         129 

ark  enclofing  the  pure  teftimony  was  preferved  fafe 
amongft  them;  which  Tout  up  further  converfation. 
In  a  few  days  after,    an  intimate  friend  aiked  ms 
how  I  fared  there,    I  repeated  to  him  my  dream, 
and  he  told  me  it  was  very  fignificant,  for  that  a 
withering  had  taken  place  in  that  meeting,  and  that 
perfon  had  feveral  children  who  were  married  to 
fuch  that  did  not  profefs  wdth  us,  and"  being  treated 
"with  as  a^  parent,    he  faid  it  might  be  a  means  o£ 
increafmg  the  meeting,   if   thofe  they  had  married 
came  to  meeting  with  them,  and  difcouraged  friends 
from  dealing  with  thcrn,  left  it  ihould  prevent  them. 
Then  taking  a  meeting  at  Selby,  we  proceeded 
to  the  quarterly-meeting  at  York,  which  continued 
two  days,    and  was  a  good  meeting;  here  we  met 
my  brother  W"^*  Brown  to  our  m.utual  comfort  af- 
ter a  feparation  of  nineteen  months ;  we  foon  parted 
again,  he  going  towads  Lancafter  and  we  to  leveral 
meetings  in  Yorkfhire  and  fome  in  Lincolnlhire; 
in  fome  places   I  obferved  the  form  to  remain  and 
life  to  be  v/anting,    and  in  others  the  profellors  of 
truth  are  too  generally  declined  from  both;  true 
life  gives  birth  to  a  true  form;  but  the  mere  forra 
will  never  produce  the  life  of  Truth.     From  hence 
we  went  to  Retford  and  Mansfield,  in  Nottingham-* 
ihire,    and  at  the  laft  town  had  two  meetings,  one 
of  which  was  with  friends  by  themfelves ;  for  it  did 
not  always  appear  convenient  to  deliver  too  public- 
ly,   thofe  things  which  tended  to  the  reproof  of 
fome  diforderly  v/alkers  in  the  family,  left  it  ftiould 
rather  harden  than  reftore  and  heal,  efpecially  v/here 
their  condud:  did  not  occafion  open  reproach ;  thea 
^  taking  a  meeting  at  Broughton  w^e  went  to  Notting- 
ham,   and  had  three  meetings  there  on  firft  day, 
and  the  next  at  Oxham  with  a  few  friends  who 
were  glad  thereof,    being  fometimes  miffed  by  tra- 
vellers;   the  day  following   we  had   an   appointed 
meeting  at  Nottingham  to  iatisfaction ;  in  this  place 

8  they 


130        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

they  nre  troubled  with  fome  ranters,  who  lorcd 
themfelves  into  meetings  for  dil'ciphne:  Friends 
wxre  exhorted  to  keep  up  the  teftiinony  of  Truth 
in  the  meek  humble  fpirit  thereof,  in  which  its  do- 
minion will  Hand  tor  ever;  we  then  fpent  fome  time 
in  vifiting  many  meetings  in  Leicelterfhire,  taking- 
one  at  Oakham  in  Rutlandlhire,  where  fome  inno- 
cent friends  live,  and  I  think  it  is  the  only  meeting 
of  friends  in  that  county;  at  Eofweilftrcet  we  had 
a  meeting  with  fome  who  had  been  lately  con- 
vinced, but  had  not  yet  known  a  true  eflabliihment 
in  humbly  waiting  for  the  power  of  Truth,  to  give 
a  folid  growth  in  pure  religion;  the  fame  evening 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Coventry  to  good  fatisfaction; 
and  the  week  following  came  to  Dudley  in  Worcef- 
terfliire,  where  we  lodged  at  James  Fayton*s,  whofe 
filler  Catharine  was  preparing  to  go  on  a  religious 
vifit  to  America;  ftaying  the  meeting  on  firft  day 
in  Dudley,  we  went  to  divers  others  in  this  county 
and  Warwickfliire,  and  came  to  Eaden  in  Nor- 
thamptonfliire,  at  which  meeting  many  people  came, 
fome  of  whom  were  very  unruly,  but  the  power  ot 
Truth  prevailing,  if  ended  quietly,  praifed  be  the 
Lord  who  is  allfufficient  for  his  ov/n  work!  vifiting 
feveral  other  meetings  in  this  county,  at  one  of 
them  held  in  an  evening  at  Chipping-Norton  there 
\vhere  many  teilder  young  people,  to  v/hom  I  felt  a 
falutation  in  the  love  of  Truth;  but  before  I  thought 
it  fafe  for  me  to  (land  up,  a  young  man  not  much 
like  a  friend  flood  up,  and  began  to  exhort  them 
to  be  faithful  in  difcharging  whatfoever  the  Lord 
required  of  them,  and  how  eminently  he  would  be 
with,  and  qualify  them  for  his  work,  as  tlio'  they 
were  all  appointed  to  enter  upon  Ibme  extraordi- 
nary great  fcrvice;  at  which  my  mind  was  much 
grieved,  for  I  thought  it  would  be  more  fuitable 
for  them  deeply  to  retire  and  wait  for  the  virtue  of 
Truth    and    lap  of    life,    to   experience   a  growth 

in 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         131 

in  grace  and  the  knowledge  of  God,  that  they 
might  be  prepared  to  work  out  their  own  falvati-. 
on;  to  exped:  a  young  tree  to  produce  abundance 
of  fruit  before  the  branches  are  come  forth  and 
fpread  with  ftrength  to  bear  it,  is  not  reafonable; 
the  words  "  fit  down,"  paffed  through  my  mind 
for  fome  time,  and  at  length  I  fpoke  them  fo  as  for 
him  to  hear,  which  I  perceived  by  a  fmail  (top  he 
made;  but  going  on  again,  I  faid  prithee  friend  fit 
down,  which  he  did,  but  I  felt  that  my  faying  fo, 
furprized  the  people  and  perhaps  offended  fome, 
and  that  it  would  be  in  vain  to  deliver  what  was 
on  my  mind,  fo  expreifing  a  few  fentences  only,  I 
fat  down  very  forrowful,  and  the  meeting  ended; 
I  was  informed  by  a  friend  at  our  lodgings  that  he 
was  one  lately  come  from  the  Methodifts,  which  I 
before  apprehended  by  his  appearance;  on  going 
to  bed  I  was  much  concerned  left  it  fliould  hurt 
him,  and  deeply  fought  to  know  whether  I  had  not 
fpoken  to  him  in  a  felfifh  fpirit,  becaufe  he  had 
taken  the  time  of  the  meeting  appointed  on  my 
account,  and  feeling  love  towards  him,  I  prayed  in 
fpirit  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  preferve 
him  from  harm  thereby,  and  that  ii  I  had  done 
wrong,  I  might  be  made  fenfible  of  rebuke  for  my 
future  inftruclion ;  when  in  great  calmnefs  I  under- 
ftood  that  it  would  not  hurt  him,  fo  I  went  into  a 
quiet  ileep;  after  a  meeting  the  next  day  at  Sib- 
bard,  a  woman  friend  v/ho  was  at  the  meeting  the 
evening  before,  defired  me  to  fend  by  her  a  m ef- 
face, or  write  to  the  vounof  m^an,  for  flie  was  fear- 
ful  he  would  go  befide  himfelf;  I  told  her  that 
'  -when  I  fpake  to  him  I  thought  myfelf  right,  and 
knew  what  I  was  about;  but  now  1  could  not  fee 
what  to  do  at  prefent,  and  to  ad  by  her  direction  was 
dangerous,  fo  we  parted  and  in  about  a  vv^eek  after, 
a  friend  let  me  know  that  there  was  no  danger  of 
his  receiving  hurt,  but  hoped  he  v/ouM  be  bene- 
iited.  From 


132        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

From  hence,  taking  a  few  meetings  on  our  way, 
we  arrived  at  London  on  the  fevcnth  of  the  fixth 
month,  and  next  day  attended  Grace  Church  Street 
meeting,    and   in  the   following   week  the   yearly- 
meeting,  which  was   comfortable  and  folid,  divers 
weighty  matters  being  therein  propofed  for  confide- 
ration  from  feveral  of  the  counties,  which  centred 
rather  to  benefit,    tho*  in  the  management  of  the 
affairs,  there  appeared  in  fome,   a  difpofition  to  op- 
pofe  what  they  thought  to  be  nev/,  notwithflanding 
the  fame  things  appeared  very  expedient  to  others, 
"who  from  their  profpeci:  thereof,  might  urge  their 
fcntimcnts  rather   too  ftrongly;    a  profpect  of  the 
Lord's  fervants  truly  difciplined,  armed  and  quali- 
fied for  his  wc?rk,  and  of  fuch  who  equip,  arm  and 
arrange  themfelves,  and  move  by  their  own  direc- 
tion, '  was  prefented  to  my  view  in  a  dream  one 
night  during  the  time  of  this  meeting;  "  I  thought 
I  beheld  two  armies  fet  in  array  againft  each  other, 
one  of  them  well   armed  with  fwords  and  mufl-iets; 
the  other  had  no  formal  weapons  for  their  defence; 
but  a  charge  given   them  by  their  general  to  keep 
their  ranks,  and  gently  to  march  directly  forward 
as  he  fliould  lead,  no  man  reaching  forth  his  own 
hand  to  defend  himfelf;  they  joined  in  battle,  and 
"whqn  one  of  the  unarmed  foldiers  was  borne  hard 
upon  by  his  opponent,    he  reached  forth  his  hand 
at  arms  length,  when  a  fword  took  off  one  of  his 
fingers,  and  the  blood  fprinkled  on  feveral  of  his 
fellow    foldiers;     whereupon    knowing    the  orders 
given,    I   cried  out,    if   that  hand  had  not  been  fo 
ftretciied  out,  this  wound  would  not  have  been  re- 
ceived, and  fo  1  awakened."     And  on  the  morrow 
was  fully  convinced  that  in  tranfa cling  the  affairs 
,  of  Truth,  the  honour  of  God  ihould  be  our  only 
view,    with  a  fingle  eye   to   his  direclion,  and  felf 
made   of   no    reputation,    which    will   be   a   ihield 
againfl  all  reflcdions  and  peribnal  cenfures;  lor  it 

fo 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         133 

fo  happened,  that  a  valuable  zealous  friend  being 
ftrongly  refledled  on  as  being  a  prejudiced  party, 
and  being  a  little  warmed  thereby,  made  an  over- 
hafly,  and  perhaps  too  warm  a  reply,  which  is  apt 
to  flir  up  warmth  in  thofe  who  depend  on  no  other 
guard  than  their  own  armour,  and  with  their  own 
ilrenp-th  ufe  a  lelfifh  weapon;  by  this  unguarded 
reply,  the  friend  brought  a  reproof  on  himfelf  and 
fome  others,  that  were  united  in  the  caufe  of  truth; 
the  victory  belongs  to  the  Lamb  for  ever,  who 
when  he  was  fpit  upon  and  reviled,  did  not  again 
revile. 

After  flaying  in  London  and  attending  the  Peel- 
meeting  on  firll  day,  and  the  meeting  of  minillers 
and  elders  on  fecond  day  morning,  we  went  to 
Chelmsford  and  relied  a  day  or  two  with  our  friend 
John  Griffith,  attended  their  week  day  meeting 
and  a  general  meeting  at  Eaflerfordkelvedon,  and 
proceeded  to  the  yearly-meeting  at  Colchefler, 
which  held  three  days  and  was  a  time  of  Divine 
favour;  then  going  to  Ipfwich  and  to  a  monthly- 
meeting  at  Woodbridge,  we  there  continued  on 
firfl  day,  and  on  the  next  began  their  yearly-meet- 
ing, which  held  until  the  fourth  day  of  the  week, 
in  all  eight  fittings,  fome  whereof  were  large  and 
very  good.  No  praife  to  him  that  willeth,  or  to 
him  that  runneth,  but  to  the  Lord  alone  that  fhew- 
eth  mercy ;  and  there  being  a  marriage  at  the  meet- 
ing on  fifth  day,  I  had  an  open  time,  wherein  I  had 
to  fet  forth,  that  as  man  in  the  begining  was  taken 
from  the  earth  or  clay  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
and  a  life  breathed  into  him  different  from  the  earth, 
by  which  he  became  a  living  foul,  and  flood  in  the 
image  and  liberty  of  his  Creator,  but  falling  from 
the  heavenly  image  and  liberty  therein  through 
tran^reflion,  is  now  of  the  earth,  earthly  in  his 
love  and  liberty,  fo  he  mull  now  be  feparated  from 
the  earthly  low  eflate  v/hich  fland^  in  the  tranfgrei- 

fion 


)34        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

fion  and  death,  by  the  Regenerating  Word  of  Pow- 
er, and  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  his  mind, 
will  .and  afi'eclions,  and  placing  them  on  heavenly 
objcds;  for  as  the  potter  fcparateth  the  clay  from 
the  other  earth,  and  tempers  it  by  itfelf  before  he 
formeth  and  maketh  a  veiiel  thereof,  fo  mufl  man  by 
the  operation  of  the  Heavenly  hand,  be  tempered, 
wrought,  prepared,  and  thereby  freed  from  his  own 
fiubborn  v.ill,  and  made  fubmiifive  to  the  Heavenly 
"Will,  that  he  may  not  be  marred  on  the  wheel,  but 
bear  the  turning  of  the  heavenly  hand  until  he  be 
formed  a  veffel  to  honour;  but  if  the  will  of  man  does 
not  become  fubjecl,  but  fiands  in  rebellion,  the  Lord 
who  faldj  my  jytrii  J  ball  not  ahvays  Jtrive  with  man^ 
hath  power  over  the  clay  to  reject  that  which  will 
not  be  wrought  into  a  veifel  for  honour,  and  fuller 
it  to  be  marred  in  its  own  fiubborn  will;  and  when 
an  earthly  potter  hath  formed  a  veifel  for  ufe,  he 
carefully  fetteth  it  alide,  until  it  be  prepared  to 
bear  a  further  operation,  to  harden  and  glaze  it  for 
the  ufe  for  which  it  is  made;  if  man  Ihould  put 
even  water  ir/to  an  earthen  veifel  formed  fop,  that 
ufe,  before  it  is  hardened  and  prepared  by  fire,  he 
woidd  both  mar  the  veil'el,  and  expofe  that  which 
was  put  therein ;  let  not  fuch  therefore  who  have 
known  the  heavenly  hand  of  power  fo  to  prepare 
them,  that  they  are  willing  to  be  whatfoever  the 
Lord  ihould  make  of  them,  marvel  if  the  Lord 
ihould  be  pleafed  to  fet  them  by  a  while  for  the 
trial  of  their  faith;  if  the  earthly  potters  veflel 
iliould  crack  in  drying,  it  would  be  marred,  fo  if 
thcfe  vcffcls  of  the  Heavenly  Potter  keep  not  the 
word  oi  his  patience  in  this  their  drying  fealbn,  to 
prepare  tliem  for  the  operation  of  the  Heavenly 
tire  and  furnace,  in  which  the  Lord  will  fanclify 
and  fit  his  veifels  for  the  ufe  of  liis  holy  fancluary, 
they  will  alio  be  marred;  but  otherwife  they  will 
come  forth  veficls  to  honour  in  his  houfe,  ^^c. 

I 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         135 

I  thought  this  was  a  remarkable  good  meeting, 
the  praife  thereof  belongs  to  the  Lord  alone.  We 
had  alfo  a  fclecl  meeting  with  friends,  and  vifited 
feveral  families  in  the  town  to  fatisTadion,  truth 
owning  us  together,  and  after  a  good  opportunity 
at  a  friend's  houfe  in  the  country  on  our  way,  we 
went  to  Norwich  and  attended  their  meetings  on 
iirfl  day,  the  yearly-meeting  began  the"  next,  and 
ended  on  fourth  day  after  feven  fsttings  generally 
large  and  fatisfa^Vory,  through  the  overfhadowing 
of  Divine  Goodnefs:  I  continued  in  this  city  feve- 
ral days  after,  vifiting  of  families  and  fteadily  at- 
tending their  meetings,  and  had  fome  open  fatis- 
faclory  opportunities.  My  v/ay  now  opening  for 
Holland  we  went  to  Yarmouth,  feveral  friends  ac- 
companying us,  and  on  the  twenty-fixth  of  the  fe- 
venth  month  embarked  on  board  the  flrip  Three 
Brothers,  Richard  Smith  mafter,  my  companion 
John  Pemberton  being  willing  to  continue  with  me. 

On  the  firit  day  of  the  week  following,  we  land- 
ed at  Rotterdam  and  lodged  at  an  inn ;  next  morn- 
ing feeling  my  mind  drawn  forward,  we  went  in 
a  uage  waggon  to  Turgow,  and  from  thence  in 
the  tra6r-&ute  to  Amflerdam  in  the  evening,  the 
Metropolis  of  South  Holland,  and  were  conduct- 
ed to  friends  meeting-houfe  at  the  Three-hooks 
in  Princes-flreet,  in  v/hich  Michael  Laars  and  his 
fifter  lived,  and  were  kindly  received  and  reiled 
the  next  day. 

I  found  a  concern  to  vifit  the  families  of  friends 
in  this  city,  in  which  fervice  we  fpent  mod  of  the 
wTek  to  our  fatisfadion,  John  Vanderwarf  jun^* 
being  interpreter;  we  alfo  attended  their  week  day 
meeting,  in  which  Peter  Linders  was  interpreter. 
On  firit  day  following  the  meeting  in  the  morning 
was  pretty  large,  and  many  people  came  to  that  in 
the  afternoon,  fome  of  whom  behaved  rudely;  but 
Truth  came  over,  and  they  were  Hilled,  and  leeihed 

to 


136         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

to  depart  fatisficd;    we  continued  here  until  their 
\veek  day  meeting  a^ain,  which  many  not  of  our 
lociety  attended,  and  it  was  to  general  fatisfaclibn ; 
I  then  lelt  my  mind  drawn  towards  North  Holland, 
and  taking  paflage  in  the  tract-(kute  pafTed  through 
feveral  towns  and  arrived  at  the  city  of  Hoorn,  where 
we  were  met  by  our  friend  Cort  Hendricks,  who 
took   us   in  his  waggon  to  his  houfe  at  Twifk,  in 
North  Holland  the   fame   night,    being   accounted 
eighteen  miles  from  Amderdam  to  Ploorn  by  water, 
and  from  thence  to  Twiik  by  land  fix  miles ;  here 
alfo  finding  the  like  concern,  we  vifited  the  families 
of  friends,  and  had  a  meeting  with  them  in  the 
evening   together;    next   day  we   went   to    Abbey 
Kirk,  a  village  about  two  miles  diflant,  where  about 
five  or  fix  families  of  friends  live,  whom  we  vifited 
alfo;  the  friends  in  general  feemed  to  receive  our 
vifits  kindly,  except  one  family,  where  I  was  con- 
cerned to  fpeak  of,    and  open  that  faying  of  our 
dear  Lord,  Except  your  rigbteoiffncfs  exceed  the  right- 
eoufnefs  of  the  Scribes^  and  Pharifees^  &c.  for  I  was 
much  burthened  under  a  fenfe  of  a  felf-rightcous, 
whole,  exalted  fpirit,  and  in  opening  that  paflage^ 
was  alfo  led  to  fpeak  of  the  Parable  of  the  Pharifee 
and  Publican  who  went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray, 
which  probably  touched  the  heads  of  that  family, 
and  I  felt  a  Itrong  oppofition  in  them,  and  per- 
ceived the  paffage  was  not  pleafing  to  our  interpre- 
ter, I  could  not  ihake  off  my  burden,  yet  was  pre- 
fer ved  quiet  in  my  mind,  having  honeftly  done  my 
part,  and  fo  returned  to  Twilk,  where  the  meeting 
was  held  for  both  villages,  and  on  firfh  day  morn- 
ing  the   meeting  was   pretty  large,    friends   being 
generally  there;  but  our  interpreter  had  mod  of  the 
time,  fo  that  he  was  too  ovcrfpent  to  interpret  much 
for   me;    feveral  not  profelling  with  us  attended  in 
the  aiternoon,    and  I  had  a  latisfacloi^y  time  with 
ihciu  early  in  the  metting,  when  an  awful  fenfe  of 

truth 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         137 

h'uth  feemed  to  be  over  us,  after  which  our  inter- 
preter had  fomething  further  to  fay;  I  have  often 
lamented  the  increafe  of  words,  and  a  repetiiion  of 
former  experiences  without  the  renewing  of  hfe, 
which  difpofition  feems  to  prevail  in  too  many,  ta 
the  burdening  of  fcnfibie  members  in  our  fociety. 

As  we  fat  this  evening  in  a  friends  houfe  at  Twiffc 
two  elderly  women  came  in,  profeifors  of'truth  but 
very  talkative:  I  had  feen  them  feveral  times  before, 
and  as  often  been  burdened  with  them,  and  now 
had  fomething  in  parcicular  to  fpeak;  but  feared 
that  fuch  plain  dealing  w^ouid  be  too  (Ironcr  for  our 
interpreter,  who  appeared  to  be  very  fociable  with, 
them;  therefore  I  delivered  my  mind  without  fin- 
gUng  them  out,  feveral  others  being  prefent;  thefe 
women  took  it  to  themfelves,  but  not  in  fuch  a  dif- 
pofition as  I  defired,  being  diflurbed,  and  follow- 
ing us  to  our  lodgings  made  their  complaint  to  our 
interpreter,  bidding  him  ailv  me  if  I  took  them  to 
be  fuch  perfons  as  I  had  defcribed;  if  fo,  they  de- 
fired to  know  what  I  had  to  accufe  them  with?  at 
firfl  it  put  me  to  a  Hand,  but  iDeing  flill,  I  fooa 
thought  it  was  providential,  that  they  thus  gave 
me  an  opportunity  to  clear  myfelf  of  the  burden 
I  had  borne  on  their  account,  and  told  them,  that 
to  enter  into  particular  charges  was  not  my  bufi- 
nefs,  but  was  free  to  let  them  know  that  I  had  beea 
in  pain  on  their  account  from  the  firfh  time  I  faw 
them,  and  that  if  1  had  a  true  fenfe  of  their  dates, 
they  were  not  fuch  as  they  ought  to  be,  but  had 
iofl  the  favour  of  what  they  profeffed  to  enjoy,  and 
could  fo  freely  talk  of,  "  and  told  one  of  them  that 
I  took  her  to  be  dark  and  ignorant  of  her  own 
itate;  and  the  other,  that  fhe  was  too  light  and 
chaify  in  her  fpirit,  and  that  they  both  wanted  the 
true  cloathing  of  the  Lord's  children,  which  is 
humility  of  heart  and  reverence  of  fpirit,  which 
would  feafon  all  their  converfation  and  conduct, 

T  th3.t 


138         The    life    and    TRaVELS 

that  they  would  not  be  fluinbhng  blocks  to  theli' 
neighbours,  as  I  feared  they  were:  I  alfo  told  them, 
that  I  beUeved  when  I  fpake  as  I  did  at  the  friend's 
houfe  it  belonged  to  them,  in  which  I  was  now 
confirmed,  for  had  they  been  fmcere  hearted,  they 
would  have  borne  it  without  flinching;  but  now 
they  had  fliewn  that  their  fore  places  were  touched, 
and  1  dared  not  to  lefl'en  the  weight  of  what  was 
then  faid,  but  defired  them  to  receive  and  ponder 
it  well;  for  I  was  fure  it  was  delivered  in  love,  and 
believed  it  to  be  a  vifitation  to  them  in  their  old 
age."  Which  being  interpreted  to  them,  they  fpake 
fomething  to  the  interpreter  which  I  did  not  under- 
ftand;  then  one  of  them  faid,  flie  had  yet  love  in 
her  heart  for  me:  I  told  her  that  I  had  nothing  but 
good  will  towards  her,  and  fo  they  went  away. 

After  which,  the  interpreter  told  me,  he  had 
known  thefe  women  many  years ;  that  I  had  a  true 
fenfe  of  them,  and  he  had  delivered  my  words  ho- 
nellly,  and  hoped  they  would  do  them  good. 

We  next  had  a  meeting  with  friends  of  Twilk  by 
themfelves  in  a  private  houfe,  in  which  we  were 
favoured,  with  the  favour  of  truth,  the  fincere  heart- 
ed being  refrefhed,  and  the  difordcrly  warned  to  be 
more  careful. 

After  taking  fome  refrelfiment,  we  hafted  to 
attend  another  meeting  appointed  for  us  at  Abby- 
Kirk  in  the  afternoon,  which  was  held  in  the  fame 
houfe  where  I  felt  the  oppofition  before  mentioned: 
I  foon  was  fcnfible  of  fome  matter  in  my  mind  to 
divide  to  the  people;  firft  to  a  low  afflicled  flate, 
and  things  opened  ]')retty  clear,  and  were  interpret- 
ed readily;  but  proceeding  to  the  other  Itates,  I 
felt  the  current  obflru<51:cd,  and  the  force  of  my 
fentcnces  evaded,  and  had  a  fenfe  that  the  minds 
of  the  friends  of  that  houfe  were  (lint  up  againfl 
what  I  had  to  deliver,  fo  I  forbore  going  on,  and 
the  interpreter  foon  began  and  continued  to  foeak. 

near 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        139 

near  an  hour;  when  he  had  done,  I  felt  a  great 
weight  on  my  mind,  and  defired  him  to  interpret  a 
few  fentences  for  me,  he  did  not  feem  very  free^ 
faying,  "  let  it  be  fhort  thpn,"  the  fubftance  was, 
"  That  I  had  come  in  love  to  fee  them,  and  was 
in  no  way  prepofleifed  or  informed  concerning  any 
perfon  or  cafe  among  them;  yet  found  they  were 
lliut  up  againft  what  I  had  to  deliver;  neverthelef^ 
I  could  not  be  eafy  without  letting  them  know,  that 
I  did  believe,  unlefs  they  humbled  themfelves,  and 
were  ftripped  from  that  felf-righteous  vvholenefs, 
wherewith  they  had  cloathed  themfelves,  they 
never  would  grow  in  the  life  of  true  religion;  but 
would  be  as  (tumbling  blocks  to  the  fuicere  hearted 
among  them,"  fo  I  went  out  of  the  houfe  and  re- 
turned to  our  lodging,  not  having  freedom  to  ftay 
there  longer.  Our  interpreter  who  tarried  with 
them  after  we  were  gone,  told  me  that  they  judged 
a  certain  friend  who  had  been  in  Holland  fometime 
before  and  fpoken  very  clofely  to  them,  had  inform- 
ed me  concerning  them,  and  I  thought  the  inter- 
preter alfo  favoured  that  fentiment,  which  made 
me  not  to  wonder  at  the  oppofition  I  bad  felt  both 
in  him  and  them;  whereupon  I  told  him,  that  un- 
til that  time  I  never  knew  that  the  friend  whom 
they  thus  judged  had  been  there,  and  that  I  had 
never  heard  of  their  names,  nor  the  name  of  the 
town  until  I  came  with  him,  and  deftred  him  to 
give  it  in  charge  to  a  friend  of  Twiflv  who  was  pre- 
fent  with  us,  to  let  thofe  friends  know  from  me, 
what  I  then  faid  of  my  innocency. 

Feeling  myfelf  nov/  pretty  eafy  refped:ing  that 
''place  we  returned  towards  Amfterdam,  accompani- 
ed by  two  friends  to  Hoorn,  where  no  friends  now 
jive,  tho*  formerly  there  were,  and  fometimes 
meetings  have  been  held  there;  and  I  had  fome 
thoughts  of  having  one;  but  being  under  difcou- 
ragement,  liad  ^InioH  concluded  to  proceed  on  our 

way^ 


140         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

way;  but  in  walking  through  the  city  to  the  pKUte, 
which  was  to  fet  off  for  Amfterdam  in  a  few  mi- 
nutes, I  feh  my  mind  affected  with  a  fenfe  that  my 
great  and  good  mafter  was  near,  and  defired  with 
carneft    breathings    to   know  his  will,    and   if   he 
would  be  pleafed  to  be  with  me,  I  was  witling  to 
do  the  fame,  as  he  (hould  require  and  enable  me; 
I  then  felt  fuch  a  ftream  of  love  towards  the  inha- 
bitants, that  I  was  convinced  there  was  a  vifitation 
to  them,    as  tho'  the  Lord  would  in  his  own  time 
gather  a  people  there;    as  yet  I  had  not  difclofed 
my  mind  to   any  one,    although  I  felt  a  draught 
back;    when  feeing  a  young  man  in  the  ftreet,  I 
defned  the  interpreter  to  afk  him  if  he  thought  we 
could  have  a  meeting  in  that  town,  to  which  he  rea- 
dily anfwered  that  he  believed  we  might,  and  tak- 
ing hold  of  my  baggage  faid,  if  we  would  pleafe  to 
return  to  his  houfe,  he  would  endeavour  to  procure 
a  place   and  acquaint  the  people,    which  he  very 
punctually,   and  with  great  fpeed  performed,   and 
we  met  about  four  in  the  afternoon  at  the  houfe  of 
Cornelius  Olyflager,    and  had  a  good  opportunity 
with  a  tender    friendly   people,    feveral  of   wnom 
were  reached  and  tendered  by  the  virtue  and  favour 
of  truth,  which  fpread  freely;  for  which  the  giver 
of  all  good  was  reverently  praifed,  who  is  worthy 
for  ever.     The  people  departed  in  much  love,  and 
we  returned  to  the  young  man's  houfe,  where  A'e 
were  affedionately  entertained  that  night;  \\e  fliould 
have  been  glad  to  have  converfed  with  the  people, 
but  could  not  underftand  their  language,  yet  had  a 
ienfe  that  they  were  fatisficd  with  the  meeting. 

Being  accompanied  by  this  kind  young  man  Dirk 
Mcfchaert,  our  landlord,  to  the  track-ikute,  we  took 
leave  with  tears"  on  each  fide,  and  arriving  at  Am- 
ilerdam,  we  fat  with  friends  that  afternoon  in  their 
week  day  meeting  to  latisfaQion,  having  travelled 
in   North   Holland    about  feventy   four    miles    by 

boat 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         141 

iioat  and  waggon,  we  then  vifited  the  remainder  of 
friends  families  in  this  city,  and  were  comforted 
therein,  the  Lord  being  pleafed  to  own  our  labour, 
and  I  pray  it  may  be  blefl'ed  to  them;  on  firfl  day 
morning  we  had  a  large  folid  meeting,  at  which 
were  feveral  ftrangers,  particularly  two  young  men, 
Italians,  fuppofed  to  be  princes,  who  behaved  well, 
alfo  many  of  the  citizens  who  had  never  been  at  a 
friend's  meeting  betore.  The  afternoon  meeting 
was  alfo  large,  but  fome  of  the  lower  fort  who 
came  to  gaze  out  of  curiofity,  behaved  rude,  yet 
it  ended  better  than  1  expeded;  there  feemed  to 
be  an  opennefs  in  many  to  hear  the  teftimony  and 
principle  of  Truth  declared ;  but  it  is  a  dull  way  to 
fpeak  by  an  imperfect  interpreter. 

On  the  twenty-fecond  of  the  eighth  month  was 
held  what  they  call  their  yearly  meeting,  which  was 
attended  by  feveral  not  of  our  fociety;  but  it  has 
little  more  than  the  name  of  a  yearly-meeting,  the 
difcipline  of  truth  being  much  loft. 

Feeling  fome  concern  dill  to  continue  on  my 
mind  towards  the  friends  at  Abby-Kirk  where  I  was 
fenfible  of  the  oppofition  before  hinted,  I  had  free- 
dom to  write  them  a  letter;  but  on  confidering  that 
the  friend  and  his  wife  to  whom  I  wrote  were  per- 
fons  of  note,  I  was  fearful  that  their  refentment 
might  hurt  fome  others,  and  having  a  tender  con- 
cern towards  the  fmcere  hearted,  it  was  with  me  to 
prepare  the  way  by  writing  an  Epiflle  to  friends  of 
the  meeting  at  Twilk,  to  v/hich  thofe  of  Abby-Kirk 
do  alfo  belong,  both  which  I  got  a  friend  of  Am- 
yfterdam  to  tranilate;  that  to  the  meeting  I  fent  im- 
niediately  that  it  might  be  read  on  a  firfl  day,  and 
direfted  the  other  to  be  fent  foon  after, 

I'hat  to  Friends  at  Twiik  was  as  follows. 

'  ''  Dear 


14::        1'i^E    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 
"  Dear  Friiends, 

THE  honell  and  fincerc  hearted  amongfl  you, 
1  falute  in  Gofpcl  Love;  and  as  I  do  believe 
there  is  a  fniall  remnant  that  are  dehrous  to  know 
and  witnefs  the  peace  of  God  in  your  hearts,  and 
a  fure  hope  of  receiving  the  anfwer  of  well-done  at 
the  conciufion  of  your  time  in  this  world,  mind  the 
inltruclions  of  the  fpirit  of  Chrid  Jefus  in  your  own 
hearts,  for  it  is  that  which  leads  into  all  Truth ;  it 
ihews  unto  man,  of  what  fort  the  thoughts  of  his 
heart  are,  and  it  v\'itneffeth  againft  every  bad  word 
and  action:  It  was  the  Spirit  of  Truth  that  taught 
the  children  of  God  in  all  ages,  it  was  by  this  Spi- 
rit of  Truth  that  our  worthy  elders  were  led  from 
the  lo-heres  and  lo-theres  which  are  in  the  world; 
it  eftablillied  them  on  the  true  foundation,  viz.  the 
revelation  or  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their 
own  hearts;  by  this  they  were  upheld  under  fore 
aflli^lions,  and  outv/ard  futferings  from  the  powers 
of  the  earth;  by  this  they  were  preferved  in  the 
unity  of  the  fpirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace.'' 

"  Dear  Friends,  beware  of  letting  out  your  minds 
after  the  doctrines  and  teachings  of  men,  who  have 
not  the  word  of  Life  committed  to  them  to  preach 
in  the  Love  and  Power  of  Truth :  For  if  ye  do,  ye 
will  be  unftablc  and  wavering,  and  a  wavering  man 
is  as  a  wave  of  the  fea,  tolfed  to  and  fro  with  every 
contrary  wind  of  doctrine;  neither  look  you  too 
much  to  the  example  one  of  another,  but  wait  to 
receive  in  yourfelvcs,  a  fenfe  of  what  ye  ought  to 
do  and  to  join  with,  and  what  ye  ought  to  be  fe- 
perated  from,  then  will  you  be  able  to  judge  what 
you  hear  and  fee;  becaufe  you  have  the  fpirit  of 
Truth  in  your  own  hearts,  for  that  is  the  true  rule, 
judge  and  guide,  which  leads  into  all  Truth.'* 

"  Since  I  was  with  you,  I  have  often  thought, 
that  ypu  will  ncvtr  grow  llrong  m  the  truth,  nor 

teach 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        145 

teach  the  principles  thereof  one  to  another,  until 
you  be  obedient  thereunto  in  your  own  hearts, 
and  a£l  and  behave  in  all  things  according  to  the 
pure  witnefs  thereof  in  your  own  felves ;  this  makes 
living,  found,  fteady  members,  zealous  both  of  love 
and  good  works,  in  themfelves  and  amongfl  their 
brethren  and  fillers. '* 

"  Dear  Friends,  be  careful  to  meet  together^ 
and  admonilh  thofe  that  fall  fliort  of  their  duty 
herein:  And  when  you  are  affembled,  wait  on  the 
Lord  with  a  mind  turned  inward,  and  if  ye  do  wait 
in  Faitli  and  Patience,  the  Lord  will  be  found  of 
you,  and  reveal  himfelf  in  the  midfl  of  you,  ta 
your  comfort  and  confolation." 

"  With  fmcere  defires  that  every  good  thought, 
and  fecret  enquiry  after  the  knovvdedge  of  God,  ift 
each  of  your  hearts,  may  be  ftrengthned  and  blef- 
fed,  do  I  remain  your  alfedionate  friend, 

John  Churchman.'' 

Amfterdam,  I'^d of 
the  "^th  Month y    1753. 

A  Copy  of  my  Letter  to  the  Friend  and  his  Wife 
here  follows. 

"  My  Friends, 

Have  had  an  exercife  on  my  mind  ever  fmce  I 
came  firfl  into  your  houfe,  to  vifit  your  family, 
which  was  on  the  eleventh  inftant,  I  came  an  entire 
ftranger,  free  from  any  information  from  man  con- 
cerning you,  but  as  foon  as  I  came  into  the  houfe, 
I  felt  the  innocent  life  of  truth  and  pure  feed  of  the 
kingdom  opprefled  in  you." 

''  Our  dear  Lord  faid,  Learn  of  me,  for  I  aift 
meek  and  lew  of  heart:  His  Spirit  in  us  if  we  take 
heed  thereto,  will  teach  us  to  be  meek  and  low  in 
heart ;  at  this  day  his  teaching  is  the  fame,  and  will 
remain  to  be  fo  to  all  his  followers  forever:  Oh 
may  you  be  humble,  for  it  is  the  humble  that  the 


144        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Lord  doth  teach  of  his  ways;  and  the  meek  hd 
guides  in  judgment:  But  the  whole  and  felf-right- 
eous,  who  are  wile  in  their  own  eyes,  and  prudent 
in  their  own  conceit,  the  Lord  will  hide  the  myfle- 
Ties  of  his  pure  wifdom  from  thefe ;  but  to  the  babes 
who  are  truly  changed,  and  born  from  above;  and 
thofe  fucklings  who  are  weaned  from  the  breads  of 
the  world,  and  its  wifdom,  and  are  leaning  on  the 
bread  of  Chrifl  their  beloved,  defiring  the  fmcere 
milk  of  his  word,  that  they  may  grow  thereby; 
unto  thefe  the  Lord  will  reveal  true  Knowledge, 
and  Wifdom  from  above;  and  that  wifdom  is  pure, 
peaceable,  gentle,  and  eafy  to  be  entreated,  and 
thofc  that  have  the  fame  in  polfeflion,  they  have  the 
feafoning  virtue  of  Truth ;  they  have  fait  in  them- 
felves,  and  are  therefore  preferved  in  peace  and 
unity  with  the  pure  Truth,  and  alfo  one  with  ano- 
ther; fuch  profeflbrs  who  inwardly  know,  and 
receive  the  mod  holy  Faith,  they  know  the  fame 
to  work  in  them  by  love,  to  the  purifying  of  their 
hearts:  Thefe  are  Jews  inward,  circumcifed  in  heart, 
true  Ifraelitcs  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile; 
and  their  righteoufnefs  exceeds  that  of  the  fcribcs 
and  pharifees." 

"  I  heartily  wifli  that  you  may  (in  your  old  age) 
be  concerned  to  know  the  Life  of  pure  lleligion; 
a  fenfe  of  the  want  thereof  in  your  family,  burthen- 
ed  my  life  whild  I  was  in  your  houfe,  which  was 
the  reafon  why  1  could  not  be  free  to  eat  and  drink 
with  you." 

"  In  order  to  difcharge  myfelf  towards  you, 
have  I  written  thefe  few  lines,  defiring  that  you 
may  examine  yourfclves,  and  fee  if  there  be  not  a 
caufe, — and  in  the  love  of  Truth,  which  leads  us 
to  deal  plainly  one  with  another, 

I  remain  your  real  Friend  and  We'lwiflier, 

John  Churchman.*' 

Amfterdam,  ^'^d  of 

the  St 6  Month t  1753.  XVe 


6f    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         145 

We  continued  with  friends  in  this  city  and  at- 
tended their  two  meetings  on  firfl  day,  and  in  the 
evening  had  an  opportunity  with  leveral  to  fatisfac- 
tion,  for  our  love  rather  increafed;  next  morning- 
feehng  my  mind  clear  of  friends  in  Holland,  I  was 
eafy  to  return  towards  England,  and  acc6mpanied 
by  feveral  to  the  fkute  we  took  leave  and  went  to 
Turgow  by  Water,  from  thence  by  waggon  to  Pvot- 
terdam,  in  all  about  forty-two  miles,  there  are  no 
members  of  our  fociety  left  in  this  city;  we  went 
to  fee  the  meeting  houfe  and  had  fome  thoughts  of 
having  a  meeting;  but  being  the  time  of  a  great 
fair,  which  occafioned  a  concourfe  of  rude  people, 
there  was  no  profpecl  of  having  one  to  advantage. 

John  Vanderwaarf  jun'  •  came  with  us  to  Rot- 
terdam, with  whom  we  parted  in  much  love  early 
on  fourth  day  m^orning  the  twenty-ninth  of  the 
eighth  month,  and  went  on  board  the  fame  fhip 
which  brought  us  hither,  it  having  made  a  voyage 
to  England  and  back  hnce;  we  failed  with  a  fair 
■wind  down  the  Maze  to  the  Briell  before  noon, 
when  it  becoming  contrary,  we  lay  at  anchor  until  ' 
firft  day  morning,  then  proceeding,  we  paffed  over 
the  dangerous  fands  and  fo  to  fea,  and  arrived  at 
Yarmouth  about  one  the  next  day,  and  had  a  meet- 
ing with  friends  the  fame  evening. 

In  this  journey  to  Holland,  we  travelled  by  fea 
and  land  about  five  hundred  miles. 

From  Yarmouth  we  went  in  a  chaife  to  Norwich^ 
where  friends  were  rejoiced  to  fee  us,  and  we  were 
■  thankful  for  our  fafe  return,  and  being  concerned 
to  fpend  fome  more  time  among  them  in  this  city, 
'we  vifited  a  few  families  and  attended  their  month- 
ly-meeting, alfo  their  two  meetings  on  firfl  day, 
which  were  dull  and  heavy ;  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple being  too  much  outward,  I  found  it  my  place 
to  recommend  filence  by  example  more  than  by 
words,  in  both  thofe  meetings. 

U  Next 


14^        Thk    LiFt    AisD    TRAVELS 

Next  day  in  company  with  other  friends  I  went: 
to  vifit  Hannah  Lucas,  a  fchool  miftrefs,  who  was 
newly  convinced-,  fhe  was  in  a  low  (late  of  mind; 
our  vifit  was  to  mutual  fatista6tion,  being  comforted 
together. 

At  their  week  day  meeting  on  third  day,  I  had 
a  feafonablc  time  to  difcharge  my  mind  towards 
friends  in  that  city,  in  which  I  was  led  to  deal  plain- 
ly with  them:  They  are  a  loving  people  to  flrangers 
and  each  other;  but  there  is  a  want  of  weightinefs 
cf  fpirit,  and  of  a  proper  care  in  the  exercife  of  the 
difcipline  of  the  church. 

Before  my  going  to  Holland  I  was  at  the  fliop  of 

a  barber  in  this  city  feveral  times  to  be  fliaved;  the 

fecond  time  I  was  there,  I  had  to  wait  a  while  for 

my  turn,  he  having  no  afliflant;  and  when  others 

were  gone  out  he  told  me,  he  was  forry  I  had  to 

wait  and  hoped  he  fhould  have  my  cuftom,  and  that 

if   I  would  come  on  Saturdays  and  Wednefdays  in 

the  forenoon  I  need  not  wait;  but  in  the  afternoon 

others  came;    I  afivcd  him  what  days  of  the  week 

thofe  were  which  he  called  Saturday,  and  Wednef- 

day?    he  feemed  to  wonder  at  my  ignorance,  but 

knew  not  how  to  tell  me  otherwife;  I  faid,  I  do  not 

read  in  the  Scripures  of  any  days  fo  named;   he 

replied,  that  is  true;  for  what  reafon  then,  faid  I, 

dofl:  thou  call  them  fo;  becaule  it  is  a  common  cuf- 

tom,  faid  he;  fuppofe  then,  faid  I,  that  we  lived 

in  a  heathen  country  among  infidels  who  worfhip- 

ped  Idols,  fhould  we  follow  their  cuftoms  becaufe 

common?  he  replied,  by  no  means;  I  then  faid.  If 

1  have  underftood  rightly,    the  Heathens  gave  the 

days  of  the  week  thofe  names:  I  never  heard  that 

before,  faid  he,  pray  for  what  reafon?  I  anfwered 

they  worfhipped  the  Sun  on  the  firft  day  of  the 

week  and  named  it  after  their  idol,  Sunday;  the 

Moon   on   the  fecond  day  of  the  week,   fo  came 

men- 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         147 

monday,  and  the  other  days  after  other  idols,  for 
they  had  many  gods;  third  day  they  called  tuefday 
after  their  idol  Tuifco;  and  after  the  idol  Woden^ 
fourth  day  they  called  wednefday,  and  fifth  day 
after  their  Idol  Thor  they  called  thurfday;  from 
Friga,  friday;  and  after  Saturn  they  called  the 
feventh  day,  faturday;  and  as  I  believe  in  the  only 
true  God  and  Jefus  Chrifl  whom  he  hath  fent,  and 
expedt  Eternal  Life  by  no  other  name  or  power, 
I  dare  not  for  confcience  fake  own  the  gods  of 
the  Heathen,  or  name  a  day  after  them;  but  choofc 
the  names  which  the  days  were  called  by,  when 
the  mod  high  performed  his"  feveral  works  of  crea- 
tion, viz,  firlt,  fecond,  third,  and  fo  on,  which  is 
fcriptural,  moft  plain  and  eafily  underftood. 

He  feemed  fome  what  affeded  with  the  informa- 
tion, and  I  defired  him  to  inquire  into  the  matter 
for  himfelf,  and  not  to  think  that  I  defigned  to  im- 
pofe  upon  him ;  the  next  time  of  my  going  to  his 
ihop,  he  ihewed  me  fom^  papers  whereon  he  had 
began  to  learn  Algebra,  and  afked  me  how  I  liked 
it;  I  faid  it  might  be  ufeful  to  fome,  but  that  I 
could  take  up  grubbing  or  follow  the  plough  with- 
out ftudying  Algebra,  as  he  might  alfo  fhave  a  man, 
&c.  without  it;  behdes  I  found  it  a  more  profita- 
ble and  delightful  ftudy  to  be  quietly  employed  in 
learning  the  law  of  the  Lord  written  in  mine  own 
heart,  fo  that  I  might  walk  before  him  acceptably. 

On  my  return  from  Holland  to  Norwich,  a  man 
jfan  to  me  in  the  ftreet  putting  a  paper  into  my 
hand,  and  immediately  left  me,  whom  I  foon  found 
to  be  this  barber;  the  letter  contained  an  innocent 
child  like  acknowledgment  to  me  for  my  freedom 
with  him,  as  is  before  mentioned  in  language  rather 
too  much  fhewing  his  value  for  me  as  an  inflru- 
ment ;  and  believing  him  to  be  reached  by  the  love 
of  Truth,  and  in  meafure  convinced  of  the  princi- 

j^le 


148         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

pie  thereof,  I  thought  it  bed  to  leave  him  in  the 
Lord's  hand  for  further  inflruclion,  to  learn  by  the 
immediate  teachings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  his 
love  might  be  centred  on  the  true  beloved  of  Souls; 
for  want  whereof  many  are  hurt,  looking  outward 
and  growing  in  head  knowledge,  feeking  the  efleem 
and  friendlhip  of  men,  from  whom  we  are  to  ceafe, 
Ills  breath  and  life  being  flopped  at  the  Lord's 
command. 

I  mention  this  paflage  with  a  view  to  flir  up  my 
friends  of  the  fame  holy  profeihon,  to  let  their 
language  in  words  be  the  real  language  of  Truth 
to  all  men,  in  purity  of  Spirit,  and  not  to  name 
the  days  of  the  week  or  months  after  the  heathen- 
ifli  idolatrous  culloms,  faying  for  excufe,  that  they 
to  whom  they  fpeak  do  bed  underfland  them,  and 
it  faves  them  any  farther  explanation,  which  ex- 
cufe is  far  from  proceeding  from  a  difpofition  apt  to 
teach,  and  letting  the  Light  of  Truth  fliine  as  they 
ou|2;ht.  'Neither  do  inen^  faid  our  blefled  inftrudor, 
light  a  candle  and  put  it  under  a  buJJ^cl ;  but  on 
a  candle/lick^  and  it  giveth  light  to  all  that  are  in 
ihe  hcufe^  Mat.  v.  21.  Nor  doth  the  Lord  enlighten 
his  candle,  that  is  the  fpirit  of  man,  with  the  pure 
knowledge  of  Truth,  that  we  Ihould  cover  it,  either 
with  an  eafeful  difpofition  to  fave  ourfelves  trouble, 
or  hide  the  work  thereot  under  the  covering  bulhel 
of  v/orldly  faving  care,  after  the  gain  and  treafure 
of  this  world;  but  that  it  may  (land  on  the  candle- 
flick,  and  thereby  crown  thofe  who  are  thus  fa- 
voured with  the  holy  Light,  that  as  a  city  fet  on  an 
hill  they  cannot  be  hid. 

The  corrupt  language  of  you  to  a  fmgle  perfon, 
•and  calling  the  months  and  days  by  heathen  names, 
are  efteemed  by  fome  to  be  little  things;  but  if  a 
faithful  tedimony  in  thefe  little  things,  was  blefled 
in  the  indance  before  mentioned,  even  to  the  raif- 
ing  an  earned  inquiry  after  the  faving  knowledge 

of 


GF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         149 

of  God  and  his  bleffed  Son,  whom  to  know  is  Eter« 
nal  Life;  perhaps  fuch  who  baulk  their  teflimony 
to  the  pure  Talent  of  Truth  given  them  to  profit 
withal,  may  one  day  have  their  portion  appomted 
with  the  wicked  and  flothful  fervant,  fee  Mat.  xxv. 
24-25.  e^r. 

After  the  laft  mentioned  meeting  I  found  my 
mind  eafy  to  leave  Norwich,  and  went  with  Richard 
Brewfter  and  wife  to  Wymoridam  that  evening,  and 
next  day  to  Edmondfbury,  where  feeling  an  en- 
gagement of  mind  we  ftaid  eight  days,  attending 
their  feveral  meetings,  and  monthly-meeting,  which 
is  compofed  of  five  particular  meetings,  where,  un- 
der a  fenfe  of  a  forward  formal  miniitry,  my  foul 
mourned  and  was  cloathed  with  forrow;  the  next 
day  we  had  a  precious  meeting,  and  the  fame  even- 
ing another  with  the  minifters  and  folid  friends, 
in  whijch  it  became  my  concern  to  fet  forth  the  care 
they  ought  to  exercife  over  each  other,  and  how 
necelTary  it  was  to  deal  plainly  with  thofe  that  did 
not  keep  their  places:  Truth  owned  us  together 
and  I  believe  the  opportunity  will  be  remembered. 

My  mind  being  drawn  to  towards  V/ales,  my 
companion  John  Pemberton  who  had  been  with  me 
three  years,  having  travelled  together  in  much  love 
and  unity,  •  inclining  to  go  towards  London,  we 
parted  in  the  fame  love,  and  I,  accompanied  by  my 
kind  friend  Richard  Brewfler,  went  to  LTenry  Gray's 
at  Godmanchefter  in  Huntingdondiire,  and  the  next 
day  to  Wellingborough  in  Northamptonfliire,  and 
were  at  their  two  meetings  on  firfh  day  the  twenty- 
third  of  the  ninth  month,  which  were  heavy  for 
want  of  more  faithful  inward  labourers*,  that  even- 
ing I  had  alfo  a  fitting  with  a  fick  friend. 

Next  morning  my  friend  R.  Brewfler  returned 
homewards,'  and  feveral  friends  coming  to  take 
leave  of  me,  I  had  an  opportunity  to  remark  to 
^hem  the  re?.fou  that  their  meetings  were  fo  dull 

and 


150         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

and  cloudy ;  for  I  thought  I  clearly  faw  there  was  a 
iiegle(St  among  them  of  putting  the  difcipline  in 
practice,  where  difordcrs  were  evident;  and  that 
this  neglect  had  caufed  them  to  fuffer,  which  would 
ilill  continue  and  increafe,  until  they  fet  the  tefli- 
jnony  of  Truth  over  the  heads  of  fuch  who  by  dif- 
orderly  walking  had  brought  a  reproach  thereon: 
The  friends  were  aifecled,  and  acknowledged  they 
believed  it  to  be  the  cafe  amongft:  them.  We  part- 
ed in  tendernefs  and  I  proceeded  on  my  journey 
"with  an  income  of  folid  peace,  and  after  riding 
thirty  feven  miles  reached  Banbury  in  Oxfordfhire, 
and  the  next  day  Eatington  in  Warwickfliire,  where 
I  met  with  my  friends  Richard  Partridge  and  Mary 
Welton  of  London,  and  we  were  truly  glad  to  fee 
each  other,  fpending  the  day  together  and  had  a 
meeting  with  friends  in  the  evening  to  our  mutual 
comfort;  we  went  in  company  to  Warwick  and 
Coventry,  and  at  the  meeting  at  the  laft  place^ 
which  was  comfortable,  I  thought  I  fenfibly  felt  the 
benefit  of  the  painful  labour  I  had  been  exercifed 
m  when  there  before;  R.  Partridge  returning  to 
London,  Mary  Weflon  went  with  me  to  the  quar- 
terly-meeting at  Leicefler,  which  began  with  a  meet- 
ing of  minifters  and  elders,  and  one  lor  worfhip 
and  difcipline  was  held  the  fame  day;  the  fervice  in 
^\'hich  lay  heavy  upon  me,  and  Truth  favoured,  the 
power  thereof  being  felt  to  the  comfort  of  many; 
?tnd  I  wifh  that  feafon  may  not  be  forgotten  by  the 
members  of  that  meeting;  on  the  firlt  day  follow- 
ing 1  went  to  a  general  meeting  at  Badgeley,  and 
had  an  evening  meeting  at  Daniel  Lythal's  at  Polef- 
worth,  who  hath  a  large  family  of  hopeful  tender 
children.  I  next  went  to  Allen  England's  at  Tam- 
worth,  and  had  a  fatisfactory  oppoi' unity  in  his  fa- 
mily, to  which  I  had  ielt  a  drawing"  in  my  mind 
for  fome  time;  but  did  not  know  that  it  would  fall 
To  in  the  way  to  the  quarterly-meeting  at  Stafford; 

whicl^ 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         151 

1?v'hich  I  attended  and  there  met  my  friend  Joihua 
Tofft,  in  company  with  whom  I  returned  to  Ridge- 
ley,  and  next  day  had  a  meeting  at  the  widow  Mor- 
ris's, and  another  that  evening  at  Uttuxiter,  from, 
thence  to  Leek,  and  after  a  favoured  meeting  went 
home  with  Jofhua  to  Margate,  where  after  reiling 
one  day,  had  another  meeting  at  Leek,  and  an  op« 
portunity  with  fome  friends  at  Joihua  Strangman's, 
wherewith  I  had  a  degree  of  peace. 

Accompanied  by  J.  TofFt  I  went  to  a  general 
meeting  at  Eaton  in  Chefhire,  then  to  Macclesfield, 
Stockport,  Morley,  and  Farnly,  the  lall  of  which 
was  a  good  meeting;  there  my  friend  Samuel  Fo- 
thergill  met  me,  and  we  went  to  a  meeting  at  Sut- 
ton; the  next  day  Sufanna  Fothergill  and  her  bro- 
ther Alexander  came  to  fee  me,  and  we  had  a  com- 
fortable time  together  at  Thomas  Hough's,  being 
owned  by  Truth;  1  was  next  at  a  labourious  meet- 
ing at  Newton,  tho'  it  ended  well,  and  after  it  I 
met  again  with  Joihua  TofFt  at  Edgebury,  and  had 
a  meeting  the  next  day  at  Middlewich,  then  at 
Nantwich,  and  Chefter,  from  whence  rode  to  John 
Bellows  at  Stretton;  my  travelling  and  labours 
through  Chefhire  was  in  a  particular  clofe  manner, 
tho'  there  are  fome  folid  friends  in  that  county. 

PafTmg  to  Shrewfbury  in  Shroplhire,  I  was  at  a 
meeting  on  firft  day  at  Colebrookdale  and  had  fome 
clofe  work;  but  Truth  feemed  to  give  vidory,  and 
in  the  evening  at  Abraham  Darby's  houfe  had  an 
opportunity,  in  which  the  teltimony  of  Truth  pre- 
vailed to  the  tendering  fome  high  and  lofty  young 
^people;  whofe  faults  were  told  them  in  the  power 
of  the  fearcher  of  hearts,  for  which  the  fmcere 
were  truly  thankful. 

Next  day  returning  to  Shrewfbury,  I  wxnt  t(^ 
vifit  Benjamin  Thomas  and  Richard  Bellows,  who 
had  been  confmed  in  prifon  about  four  years  and  a 
half  for  their  confcientious  refufal  to  pay  tithes,  and 


152         Tpie    life    and    travels 

wc  had  a  comfortable  feafon  together  in  the  jail, 
feeling  the  living  prefcnce  ot  the  Lord,  which 
makes  his  people  free,  even  in  prifons. 

The  day  following  had  a  meeting  in  this  town, 
and  one  in  the  evening  at  the  houfe  of  John  Young, 
both  which  afforded  fome  peace;  but  the  life  of 
Truth  is  at  a  low  Hate  in  Shropfliire,  and  the  pro- 
feifors  with  us  few  in  number. 

1  then  pafTcd  into  North-Wales,  to  Charles  Lloyd's 
at  Dclobran  in  Montgomery Ihire,  John  Young  be- 
ing with  me,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  at  this  place 
there  was  formerly  a  large  meeting;  but  it  is  now 
,  much  declined;  from  thence  we  went  to  Tydeni- 
garrig  in  Merrionethfhire,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
a  few  lincere  friends  at  the  houfe  of  Lewis  Owen; 
after  which  I  proceeded  on  my  vifit  to  the  othef 
meetings  in  this  county;  firfl  at  Llwindu  in  the 
family  of  Humphrey  Owen,  which  was  a  comforta- 
ble time,  tho'  no  other  friends  live  in  this  place; 
then  at  the  houfe  of  John  Goodwin  in  Efgingoch 
in  Montgomtrylhire,  where  were  feveral  tender 
friends;  but  the  living  are  fcarcely  able  to  bear  the 
weight  of  thofe  proi^ffors,  who  altho'  they  knov^^  the 
truth,  do  not  abide  therein,  and  fo  are  as  withered 
branches  call  forth.  Next  was  a  pretty  large  and 
fatisfaclory  meeting  at  Talcoyd  in  Radnoriliire,  then 
iit  Cwm,  and  Gluerindrew^  and  on  a  firft  day  at 
Penbank,  where  are  many  profeffors,  tho'  but  few 
folid  friends;  after  which  at  Penplace  and  Caermar- 
then,  which  lafl  meeting  was  much  to  my  fatisfacli- 
on,  the  few  friends  here  being  of  tlie  better  fort; 
from  hence  to  Haverfordweft  with  friends  by  them- 
felves  moilly,  and  Haying  their  meetings  on  ftrll 
day,  that  in  the  afternoon  was  open  and  fatisfadory 
as  to  other  profeffors  who  came  in;  but  pride  and 
worldly  mindedncfs  hath  much  hurt  the  members 
of  our  fociety,  tho'  there  are  a  tew  tender  friends. 
In    the    evening    I   had    another   opportunity   with 

friends. 


6f  John  churchman.      153 

friends,  and  was  enabled  to  relieve  my  mind  among 
them  with  a  degree  of  thankfulnefs ;  next  meeting 
was  at  Jameflown,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  day 
following  at  Larn  with  the  people  of  the  town,  who 
behaved  civilly,  but  feemed  barren  as  to  rehgion 
in  a  right  fenfe;  there  is  but  one  in  this  town  in 
unity  with  friends,  and  he  feemed  near  his  end, 
whoiil  I  vifited.  After  eroding  a  ferry  near  a  mile 
bread,  not  without  great  danger,  being  driven  on. 
(hore  and  the  wind  very  high,  the  boat  was  likely 
to  fill  with  water,  that  I  was  obliged  to  go  over  a 
marlh  to  Gaermarthen,  being  thankful  for  the  de- 
liverance, where  I  had  a  public  meeting  with  the 
town's  people,  to  a  good  degree  of  fatisfaclion,  and 
next  morning  met  with  my  brother  W""*  Brown  at 
Swanzey,  and  we  were  made  joyful  in  the  company 
of  each  other;  here  we  had  two  meetings,  and  ano- 
ther with  friends  felecled,  in  which  he  got  fome  relief; 
after  his  leaving  me  here  having  a  concern  on  my 
mind  I  vifited  the  families  of  friendsj  tho'  not  with- 
out fear ;  but  felt  the  help  and  fl:rength  of  my  great 
and  good  mafter,  v/ho  furniihed  me  with  power 
and  (kill  to  difcharge  my  duty,  both  to  the  luke- 
warm and  the  corrupt  diiorderly  profeffors,  without 
Wounding  his  own  children,  fome  of  whom  there 
are  in  this  town;  I  ftay'd  their  meeting  on  fourth 
day,  which  feafon  being  divinely  favoured,  I  pray 
may  not  be  forgotten,  the  power  which  alone  can 
enable  to  tread  on  fcorpions  or  ferpents,  and  pre- 
ferve  from  the  force  of  deadly  poilon  being  over 
all:  The  honour,  praife,  and  glory,  be  afcribed  to 
•"the  Lord  who  is  worthy  for  ever! 

Next  day  I  refted,  and  in  a  degree  of  humble 
thankfulnefs  made  thefe  remarks. 

I  continued  many  days  longer  in  this  town,  in 
which  time  had  divers  meetings,  fome  whereof 
were  very  fatisfa^lory,  many  of  the  town's  people 
attending,    and  the  good  hand  ot   the  Lord  was 

X  ftretched 


154        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

ftretched  forth  towards  them;  for  which  I  was  trul;^ 
thankful;    after  fpending  fixteen  days  among  them 
I  went  to  Llantriflion,  and  the  next  day  had  a  meet- 
ing at  Trewaruge ;  then  one  at  Hillary  with  a  ten- 
der enquiring  people,  alfo  at  Cardiff  with  a  feeking 
people,    who   had    feparated    themfelves    from  the 
public   worfhip  and   met  together  in  filence;    this 
opportunity    was    an    inflruclive    feafon    to    them. 
On   the   hr(l   day    following    I    was   at    Pontipool, 
where  at  two   meetings  I  had  many  clofe  things  to 
deliver,  obferving  want  of  order  among  them ;  in 
the  evening  had  an  opportunity  withibme  of  the 
friends    moft  active  in  the   difcipline,    and   endea- 
voured to  difcharge  myfelf ;  and  on  third  day  a  large 
and  pretty  open  meeting;  being  detained  by  a  great 
fnow,    I  had  another  meeting  with  friends  of  the 
foremoft  rank  on  fixth  day,    in  which  I  cleared  my 
mind  of  a  great  burden,  which  I  had  borne  on  ac- 
count of  a  formal  miniftry  among  them;  my  next 
meeting  was  at  Shere-Newton,    which  was  pretty 
large   tho*   dull,   the  favour  of   Truth  being  much 
iofl  among  friends  here ;    yet  I  was  favoured  with 
flrength   to   difcharge   myfelf,    and    in   the   feeling 
fenfe  of  peace   went  that  night  to  the  palfage  over 
the  Severn,  and  next  day  to  Briftol,  my  friend  and 
kind  landlord  James  Griffiths  bearing  me  company 
from  his  own  houfe  at  Swanzey. 

On  third  day  I  attended  their  meeting  in  Briftol, 
but  fat  in  filence,  and  was  very  heavy  hearted  un- 
der a  fenfe  of  a  forward  fpirit,  which  would  prompt 
to  anfwer  the  expedations  of  the  people,  and  is 
apt  to  prevail  on  fome  who  feem  to  be  called  to  the 
work  of  the  miniftry;  but  Truth  only  blelfeth  its 
own  motion. 

1  continued  in  and  near  this  city  about  four 
weeks,  attending  their  feveral  meetings,  but  did  not 
feel  relief  from  the  burden  I  was  under,  and  on 
the  fifteenth  of  the  firft  month  (1754,)  hearing  that 

my 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         155 

my  brother  W"*  Brown  was  at  Ann  Young's  at 
Erthcot,  I  went  there  to  fee  him,  and  we  were 
comforted  in  each  others  company,  and  next  being 
their  meeting  day,  we  attended  it  to  our  refrefh- 
ment;  from  whence  we  returned  together  to  Bri- 
ftol,  where  we  tarried  until  the  twenty-fixth,  in 
which  time  I  had  feveral  open  meetings,  which  fet 
me  at  liberty  to  leave  that  city,  when  we  again 
parted,  and  I  took  meetings  at  Ulverflone,  Thorn- 
bury,  Sadibury,  Dedmartin,  Tedbury,  and  two 
at  Nailfworth,  and  another  there  in  the  evening, 
"when  I  had  an  opportunity  to  the  eafe  of  my  mind, 
heavily  opprefled  on  account  of  the  formal  profef- 
fors  of  truth,  to  the  comfort  of  the  faithful,  and 
caufed  thankfulnefs. 

From  thence  calling  to  vifit  the  widow  Fowler 
who  was  in  afflidion,  I  went  to  meetings  at  Painf- 
•wick,  Gloucefter,  Rofs  in  Herefordfliire,  Almerly, 
Leominfter,  and  Uphan,  where  I  vifited  the  wives 
of  the  two  friends  before  mentioned,  who  are  im- 
prifoned  at  Shrewfbury  for  their  teflimony  againft 
Tithes ;  then  returning  to  Leominfter  attended  the 
monthly-meeting  there,  in  which  truth  owned  us, 
and  taking  a  meeting  at  Broomfgrove  went  to  Wor- 
cefter,  and  on  firft  day  was  at  two  comfortable 
meetings,  and  another  on  third  day,  and  the  next 
day  attended  the  quarterly-meeting,  which  was  a 
precious  time,  wherein  friends  were  comforted; 
and  finding  a  concern  on  my  mind  I  went  into  the 
women's  meeting,  wherein  the  power  of  Truth  ac- 
companied, which  is  the  crown  of  our  religious 
^  meetings,  here  is  a  tender  feed  efpecially  amongft 
the  female  fex,  which  will  thrive  if  this  Divine 
power  is  kept  unto. 

Being  now  clear  of  this  city,  I  departed  with 
peace  to  meetings  at  Tewfkbury,  Cheltenham,  and 
again  to  Nailfworth,  where  I  was  at  two  meetings, 
which  tho'  hard,    I  had  an  evidence  that  the  Lord 

hai 


15^         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

had  not  forfaken  his  feeking  people.  After  attend^ 
ing  a  conference  with  feveral  friends  endeavouring 
to  compofe  a  difference,  which  ended  to  fatisfacti- 
on,  I  proceeded  to  the  quarterly  meeting  for  Glou- 
ceiterlliire  held  at  Tedbury,  where  I  again  met  with 
my  brother  W.  B.  Divine  Goodnefs  and  a  good 
degree  of  the  authority  of  Truth  attending  in  the 
time  of  worfliip,  and  in  tranfading  the  affairs  of 
the  church. 

Next  day  my  brother  went  to  Bath  and  I  to  Ci^ 
rencefter,  where  I  had  a  hard  and  dull  meeting, 
the  profeffors  of  truth  having  too  much  departed 
from  the  favour  thereof;  at  another  in  the  evening 
I  had  an  evidence  of  having  difcharged  my  duty; 
then  proceeded  to  meetings  at  Farringdon  in  Berk» 
fhire,  Litchfield,  Burford  in  Oxfordfliire,  Milton, 
Stow  in  Gloucelferfliire,  Chipping-Norton,  Charlbu- 
ry,  Witney,  Abingdon,  Warbury,  North  End,  and 
from  thence  to  High  Wiccomb,  where  the  weather 
being  very  cold  I  tarried  fix  days,  vifiting  feveral 
families  of  fick  friends,  and  the  laft  public  meeting 
being  in  the  evening,  many  of  the  town's  people 
attended,  and  it  was  a  folid  opportunity.  From 
thence  I  went  to  Amerfham  tho'  with  difficulty  on 
account  of  the  fnow,  and  on  firft  day  had  a  meeting 
at  Chefham;  then  to  Hampilead,  and  had  there  a 
meeting,  which  was  much  enlarged  by  the  fcholars 
of  W"  Squire's  Ichool,  feveral  of"  whom  were  affec- 
ted*, then  having  a  good  opportunity  with  friends  at 
Albans,  I  went  to  London,  where  1  remained  feven 
weeks  and  three  days,  vifiting  the  meetings  and  fek 
much  of  the  weight  and  burden  of  the  fervice  be- 
fore me  there,  and  in  the  opening  and  authority  of 
Truth,  I  had  to  fpeak  to  the  prefent  Itate  of  our 
fociety,  not  only  to  the  inftrudion  of  the  feek- 
ing children  and  comforting  of  the  mourners;  but 
alio  by  way  of  rebuke  to  the  difordcrly,  and  clofe 
\^5irning  to  the  rebellious, 

Durii>g 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         157 

During  my  continuance  here  I  felt  my  mind 
drawn  towards  Wiltfhire,  and  thought  of  attending 
the  quarterly-meeting  there;  but  on  the  day  on 
which  1  expeded  to  fet  forward,  I  found  a  ftop  in 
my  mind;  tho'  not  relieved  from  a  folid  concern, 
which  engaged  me  to  enquux  fccretly  what  I  fhould 
do;  for  notwithftanding  this  concern  to  Wiltfhire, 
my  burden  refpecling  London  feemed  rather  to 
increafe;  but  as  I  kept  quiet,  1  found  my  heart 
warmed  in  love  and  my  mind  opened,  and  influ- 
enced to  write  an  Epiftle  to  that  quarterly-meeting, 
which  with  thankfulnefs  I  then  efteemed  a  great 
favour  from  my  great  and  good  Mailer,  being  in  a 
poor  ftate  of  heahh,  the  weather  unfavourable, 
^nd  the  journey  long.  So  ui  the  opening  of  truth, 
I  wrote  as  followeth, 

*'  To  Friends  in  Wiltfhire. 

HAVING  had  flrong  defilres  in  my  mind  for 
your  welfare  in  the  truth,  I  purpofed  to  have 
attended  your  quarterly-meeting,  but  being  lett  at 
this  time,  and  not  knowing  that  I  fhall  ever  have 
an  opportunity  to  fee  you,  I  feel  a  freedom  to  vifit 
you  with  a  few  lines  in  the  opening  and  love  of 
truth,  which  flows  to  you-ward." 

"  Dear  Friends,  male  and  female,  old  and  young, 
as  many  of  you  as  are  defirous  to  be  called  the 
Children  of  God,  and  followers  of  Chrifl  Jefus, 
be  humble,  that  you  may  be  taught  of  him;  for 
it  is  the  humble  that  he  teaches  of  his  ways;  and 
r  be  ye  meek  and  low  in  heart,  that  you  may  ferve 
him  in  your  generation,  and  one  another  in  his 
pure  fear,  fo  you  will  know  him  for  your  reft,  and 
his  peace  your  quiet  habitation." 

"  My  foul  hath  mourned,  and  is  in  fome  degree 
covered  therewith  at  this  time,  under  a  fenfe  that 
tjie  love  of  the  world,  and  its  pleafures  and  earthly 

delights. 


153        The    Llt^E    and    TRAVELS 

delights,  abound  in  too  many,  (which  is  iniquity) 
and  becaufe  thereof  the  love  of  many  towards  God 
-waxeth  cold;  and  for  want  of  witnefTing  the  love 
of  God  in  a  pure  heart,  the  mind  becomes  at  eafe, 
lukewarm,  and  inditlerent  about  the  things  which 
belong  to  our  peace  and  future  happinefs,  and  fo 
fathers  and  mothers,  maflers  and  miftrefles,  become 
dull,  if  not  dead  to  that  holy  concern,  which  ihould 
ever  excite  them,  both  by  example  and  precept,  tQ 
inftruct  and  train  up  their  children  and  fervants  in 
all  Godlinefs  of  life  and  converfation.*' 

*'  Oh  dear  Friends!  fearch  your  hearts,  and 
diligently  enquire  whether  fomething  hath  not  fub- 
^illy  crept  in,  and  flolen  away  your  aftedions  from 
God;  and  the  deep  attention  of  your  minds  from 
the  inftruclions  of  his  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth;  and  if 
this  becomes  your  concern,  I  fully  believe  that  the 
Lord  VvTill  blefs  you  with  enlightened  minds  to  fee, 
and  willing  hearts  to  give  up  all  to  the  fire  and 
fword  of  his  Word  and  Spirit,  that  your  hearts  may 
be  purged,  and  made  tabernacles  and  temples  in 
which  he  would  take  delight  to  dwell:  For  if  the 
foul  is  chafte  in  Love  to  God,  and  the  eye  of  the 
mind  fmgle  to  the  inftrudion  of  the  Ipirit  of  truth, 
the  whole  body  will  be  full  of  Light:  It  is  herein 
that  the  children  of  God  are  preferved  fafe  in  their 
own  fecret  (leps  before  the  Lord,  and  free  from 
giving  occafion  of  (lumbling  to  others." 

"  1  am  fully  perfuaded  there  is  a  remnant  amongfl: 
you,  who  feelirvgly  know,  that  the  living  fenfe  of 
the  prefence  and  power  of  God,  in  your  meetings 
both  for  worfhip  and  difcipline,  is  not  plentifully 
enjoyed,  but  is  at  a  low  ebb:  And  it  is  in  my  mind 
to  let  you  know  what  has  appeared  to  me  to  be 
as  one  great  reafon,  viz.  There  are  many  profef- 
fors  of  the  truth  amongft  you,  who  delight  to  be 
accounted  of  as  friends  in  efteem  in  the  fociety; 
who  have  a  fmooth  and  fawning  behaviour,  an(J 

flat^ 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        i^g 

flattering  tongues,  and  do  feek  the  love  and  friend- 
ihip  of  fuch  who  are  friends  of  truth,  for  their* 
own  honour  and  credit,  and  the  reputation  of  felf. 
Dear  Friends,  of  fuch  beware,  for  their  friendfhip 
is  poifon,  and  their  intimate  fellowfliip,  if  cleaved 
unto,  is  benumbingj  even  to  infenfibihty :  And 
for  want  of  a  clear  difcovery  of  that  fpirit,  fome 
of  the  tender  and  fincere  hearted  amongfl:  yoii 
have  fufFered.'* 

''  In  whomfoever  earthly  mindednefs  prevails,> 
or  the,'' love  of  the  world  and  its  friendiliip;  there 
is  a  fecret  giving  way  to,  and  a  gradual  reconciha* 
tion  with  its  fordid  pradices;  and  the  eye  that  once 
faw  in  the  true  Light,  becomes  clofed  or  dimmed, 
if  not  wholly  blinded  by  the  God  of  this  world." 

"  Liberty  is  then  taken  by  parents,  and  indul- 
gence is  given  to  their  children;  which  occafion.^ 
pain  and  diflrefs  of  heart  to  thofe  who  have  not 
loft  their  fight  and  feeling:  But  fome,  for  fear  of 
being  rebuked  and  difefteemed  by  fuch  who  have 
a  fenfe  of  them,  will  court  their  aifedions;  with 
which  bait  they  have  been  taken,  and  fo  have  been 
afraid  to  fpeak  their  minds  plainly  left  they  ftiould 
offend,  or  drive  them  further  from  the  fociety; 
concluding  there  is  a  tender  thing  in  them,  becaufe 
they  feem  to  love  friends:  And  fo  many  who  might 
have  made  great  progrefs  have  loft  ground,  for 
want  of  fpeaking  truth  to  their  neighbours;  and 
thus  the  infection  of  pride,  libertinifm,  and  earthly 
mindednefs  has  fpread  and  prevailed,  even  to  the 
hurt  of  fome  families,  that  were  once  exceedingly- 
grieved  therewith." 

"  Wherefore,  my  dear  Friends,  fear  God  with 
a  perfedt  heart,  and  in  his  Light  watch  over  your 
own  felves  and  your  families :  So  fhall  your  hearts 
be  warmly  influenced,  and  filled  with  holy  zeal^ 
and  love  to  God  and  his  Truth;  in  which  you  will 
be  bold  to  a^  in  your  meetings  for  difcipline,  and 

in 


i6o        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

in  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the  authority  of  the 
church,  you  will  be  able  to  judge  thofe  who  walk 
diforderly;  and  being  faithful  therein,  you  will  re- 
move the  tumbling  blocks,  and  roll  away  the  re- 
proach which  is  imputed  to  the  church." 

"  Then  would  the  Lord  feed  fuch  his  faithful 
labourers  with  his  Heavenly  Bread,  and  honour 
them  with  his  Life  giving,  prefence  and  whether  th^ 
diforderly  would  hear  or  forbear,  the  Lord  w^ould 
be  the  ihield  and  exceeding  great  reward  of  his 
people,  and  fill  their  hearts  with  praife  to  his  namej 
who  is  Vvorthy  forever  and  ever. 

John  Churchman.'* 

London,  ihs  /\th  cf 
the  ^th  Month y    1 7 54. 

Let  this  be  read  in  your  men's,  and  women's  meetings*. 

I  have  before  hinted,  that  in  my  travelling  to  the 
meetings  in  Wiltfhire,  and  attending  the  quarterly- 
meeting  in  the  feventh  month.  Old  Stile,  1750,  I 
was  ftraitened  to  clear  myfelf  towards  them,  which 
occafioned  me  to  leave  them  in  pain  of  mind,  but 
now  having  fent  them  this  epillle  I  was  made  eafy, 
believing  they  would  read  it,  and  fend  copies  there* 
of  to  their  feveral  monthly-meetings,  which  would 
be  likely  to  be  heard  by  more  friends  than  if  my 
concern  had  been  delivered  in  the  quarterly-meet- 
ing only;  inclofing  it  to  an  innocent  friend  at  Chip- 
penham, 1  defired  him  to  deliver  it  to  the  faid  meet- 
ing, which  I  afterwards  underftood  he  did,  and 
that  friends  had  anfwered  my  requeft. 

Now  feeling  my  mind  eafy  to  leave  London  for  a 
while,  I  went  to  Elher  in  Surry,  was  the  next  day 
at  a  large  meeting  at  Kingfton  on  Thames,  which 
was  pretty  open  as  to  doctrine,  the  people  feemed 
attentive  and  feveral  much  tendered;  there  are  but 
few  friends  here* 

1  then 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN,        t6i 

I  then  vifited  divers  other  meetings  in  Hampfhire 
and  Berklliire,  being  made  thankful  to  the  great 
author  of  all  good,  who  had  been  with  me  in  the 
journey  under  my  indifpofition  of  body;  coming  to 
London  I  met  with  many  friends  from  different 
parts  of  the  nation  in  order  to  attend  the  yearly- 
meeting,'  which  began  on  the  fecond  day  of  the 
fixth  month,  and  continued  ten  days,  being  a  very 
large  and  in  the  main  a  folid  meeting;  many 
weighty  affairs  relating  to  our  religious  fociety  were 
therein  confidered,  it  was  then  alfo  agreed,  that  in 
future  this  meeting  fhould  begin  with  a  meeting 
of  miniflers  and  elders,  on  the  feventli  day  of  the 
week  at  the  third  hour  in  the  afternoon,  that  en- 
quiry might  be  made  into  the  ftate  of  the  miniflry 
in  general,  which  I  hope  may  be  attended  with 
good  fervice  hereafter. 

On  the  eleventh  of  the  fixth  month  and  third 
day  of  the  week,  after  the  parting  meeting  I  went 
from  London  to  Margarets  in  Hertfordfhire,  next 
day  attended  a  yearly-meeting  in  Hertford  which. 
was  very  large. 

The  next  day  I  accompanied  feveral  friends  who 
were  appointed  to  vifit  a  monthly-meeting,  the 
members  of  which  paid  tithes,  and  contended  for 
liberty  fo  to  do  without  cenfure;  we  had  a  confer- 
ence with  them,  in  which  the  teflimony  of  Truth 
being  fet  over  them  for  that  time,  they  w^ere  taken 
and  confounded  in  their  own  arguments. 

After  this  I  attended  a  general  or  yearly-meeting 
at  Baldock,  which  was  very  large  and  fatisfadlory, 
returning  next  morning  to  London,  I  was  truly 
thankful  that  I  had  been  enabled  to  attend  thcfe 
three  meetings,  enjoying  great  peace  in  my  labours 
there,  which  lay  heavy  upon  me;  my  gracious 
and  good  Mailer  gave  me  wifdom,  boldnefs,  and 
Tnrength  to  clear  myfelf  in  the  love  and  power  of 
Truth,    to  the  tendering  of  many  hearts;    may  I 

Y  ever 


i62        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

ever  remember  his  mercies  to  me,  and  be  enabled 
to  blefs  and  praife  his  holy  name,  who  is  worthy 
for  ever! 

Continuing  in  and  near  London  about  ten  days, 
I  then  went  to  a  large  fatisfactory  meeting  at 
Rochefter  in  Kent,  where  were  feveral  clergymen, 
who  behaved  well;  next  day  had  a  meeting  at  Loos 
in  the  houfe  of  Thomas  Crifp  with  a  few  friends 
and  divers  others;  then  going  to  my  friend  William 
Patterfons,  at  Canterbury,  I  was  at  their  meeting  in 
that  town,  and  the  day  following  had  one  on  the 
Ifle  of  Thanet,  where  there  are  a  few  friendly  peo- 
ple; the  meeting  next  day  at  Dover  was  pretty 
open;  on  firft  day  1  was  at  two  meetings  at  Folk- 
done,  which  were  dull  and  heavy,  tho'  there  are 
many  friends  in  that  place,  amongft  whom  I  was 
favoured  with  (trength  to  eafe  my  mind. 

I  then  vifited  the  Meetings  at  marfliam,  Afliford, 
Tenterden,  ^to  which  friends  of  Colebrook  came,) 
Gardnerftreet,  Lewis,  Brightelmftone,  Ifield,  Horf- 
ham,  Shipley,  Arundle,  and  Chichefler,  when  find- 
ing a  concern  to  vifit  the  families  of  friends  in  this 
city,  1  fpent  two  days  in  the  fervice  and  had  fome 
clofe  exercife,  tho'  a  good  degree  of  peace;  I  alfo 
attended  their  two  meetings  on  firfl:  day,  which 
were  heavy  and  laborious;  for  tho'  here  are  fome 
tender  people,  yet  the  fpirit  of  the  world  has  brought 
a  blaft  on  feveral  profeilors. 

From  hence  I  went  to  Gofport  in  Hampfliire 
where  we  had  a  meeting,  alfo  one  in  the  evening 
at  Portfmouth,  Jn"-  Griffith  and  Jerem.  Waring 
being  with  me;  then  going  to  Southampton,  went 
in  a  boat  to  Cowes  on  the  Ifle  of  Wight,  and  the 
day  after  had  a  good  meeting  at  Newport,  likewife 
one  in  the  evening  with  the  town's  people,  aher 
another  opportunity  with  friends,  returned  to  Cowes 
where  1  had  another  with  a  few  of  our  brethren, 
fo  went  back  to  Southampton,  and  on  firll  day  the 

twenty- 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         163 

twetity-firfl  of  the  feventh  month  attended  two 
meetings  at  Pool  in  Dorletdiire,  which  were  dull 
and  laborious;  a  worldly  libertine  fpirit  has  brought 
a  blaft  on  many:  Next  day  we  had  a  meeting  with 
a  few  friends  at  Weymouth,  then  at  Bridport,  truth 
feems  at  a  low  ebb  in  Dorfetfliire :  The  next  meet- 
ing was  at  Ringwood  in  Hampfhire,  which  was 
dull;  where  the  life  of  Truth  is  not  abode  in,  peo- 
ple will  wither.  The  fame  evening  we  had  a  meet- 
ing to  pretty  good  fatisfaftion  at  Fordingbridge;: 
then  one  at  Alton,  at  which  place  we  had  another 
very  fatisfaclory  meeting,  on  firft  day,  and  that 
evening  at  Godalmen ;  the  next  day  had  a  meeting 
at  Capel  in  Surry  and  in  the  evening  at  Darking; 
on  the  day  following  at  Ryegate  and  in  the  evening 
at  Croydon;  from  whence  on  fourth  day  morning 
the  thirty-firft  of  the  feventh  month  coming  again 
to  London  for  the  laft  time,  I  fpent  eight  days  more 
with  friends  in  that  city* 

On  my  coming  here  from  Albans,  on  the  nine- 
teenth of  the  third  month  before  mentioned,  I  felt 
great  fear  to  poifefs  my  mind,  having  at  fundry 
times  before  fpent  about  thirteen  weeks  m  that  city, 
moflly  under  a  clofe  exercife  of  fpirit,  without  an 
opennefs  to  fay  much  in  public  or  private  to  obtain 
relief;  fo  that  to  go  thither  again  appeared  to 
me  like  entering  into  a  cloud,  altho'  I  was  fecretly 
bound  in  fpirit  to  proceed;  but  attending  all  the 
meetings  as  they  came  in  courfe,  I  felt  a  gradual 
opennefs  and  flrength  to  decare  thofe  things,  which 
before  had  been  fealed  up,  being  nov/  made  fenfible 
^that  every  opening  or  vifion,  which  the  Lord  is 
pleafed  to  manifeft  to  his  fervants,  are  not  for  im-» 
mediate  utterance;  but  the  Lord  who  giv^es  judg- 
ment fliould  be  carefully  waited  upon,  who  only 
can  Ihew,  by  the  manifeftation  of  his  heavenly  light, 
the  time  when,  and  by  the  gentle  putting  forth  of 
his  arm  of  power,  abilitates  in  the  opening  of  his 

fpirit. 


i64        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

fpirit,  Vv-iich  giveth  tongue  and  utterance  to  fpeak 
the  word  of  Truth,  in  the  demonftration  of  the 
fpirit  and  power,  that  openeth  a  door  of  entrance 
in  the  hearts  of  them  who  hear.  Our  dear  Lord 
faid,  For  it  is  not  ye  that  fpeak ;  but  the  Spirit  of  your 
Father,  which  fpeaketh  in  you.  Mat.  x.  20. 

Now  as  my  iervice  opened  and  ftrength  increafed, 
I  was  invited  by  fome  to  their  houfes  to  dine,  who 
before  looked  on  me  with  indifference;  but  now 
faid  they  lliould  be  glad  to  fee  me  there  to  be  more 
acquainted;  but  as  I  felt  on  my  firft  arrival  in  this 
city,  a  fecret  prohibition  from  going  much  from 
houfe  to  houfe  without  inward  leave,  fo  now  the 
fame  reftraint  continued  with  me,  left  by  going 
to  fuch  places  I  might  fomewhat  contradict  by  ex- 
ample, the  precepts  which  Truth  had  directed  me 
to  diliver  in  public,  to  wit,  a  life  of  fcli-denial  and 
temperance  in  eating  and  drinking,  with  a  fteady 
inward  attention  to  the  teachings  of  the  Spirit 
of  Grace,  in  order  to  know  an  eftablifliment  of 
heart  thereby,  as  being  the  certain  duty  of  every 
follower  of  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord. 

Thus  I  think  I  have  feen  that  there  is  great  need 
to  be  exceedingly  careful,  when  the  Lord  is  pleafed 
to  reach  unto  and  convid  diforderly  walkers  by  in- 
ilrumental  means,  that  we  do  not  lefien  the  weight 
of  Divine  reproof,  by  being  famihar  with  fuch  as  if 
all  was  well;  for  they  are  apt  to  be  fond  of  the  in- 
ilrument  through  whom  they  have  been  reached, 
and  if  by  their  fondling,  they  gain  the  efteem  of 
fuch  a  friend,  it  fcems  to  heal  them  before  their 
wounds  are  fearched  to  the  bottom;  fo  that  I  rather 
chofc  retirement,  and  to  live  as  private  as  I  well 
could;  nov/  I  alfo  faw,  that  if  I  had  fought  many 
acquaintance,  and  thereby  beheld  the  conduct  and 
behaviour  of  fome  in  their  families,  my  way  would 
not  have  been  fo  open  as  it  now  was. 

In 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         165 

In  many  meetings  the  Love  and  Power  of  Truth 
was  felt  by  the  humble  dependant  children,  whofe 
eyes  were  fixed  on  their  Heavenly  Helper,  and  at 
fome  of  the  lafl  in  London,  I  had  with  an  innocent 
boldnefs  to  appeal  to  friends_to  bear  witnefs  of  the 
manner  in  v/hich  I  had  fpent  my  time  in  that  city; 
that  I  had  not  fought  to  be  popular,  nor  endeavour- 
ed to  gain  the  praife  of  any,  or  the  friendship  of 
thofe  who  were  not  the  real  friends  of  truth,  keep- 
ing in  a  good  degree  under  the  innocency  and  fim- 
plicity  thereof;  yet  with  a  near  affedion  I  feit  my 
fpirit  united  to  the  children  of  the  heavenly  family 
amongft  them;  but  had  never  fought  to  (leal  their 
love  from  the  great  parent  to  whom  they  did  be- 
long; my  prayer  and  heart's  defire  having  been, 
that  there  abode  might  be  in  the  truth,  and  their 
aifedions  placed  on  God,  and  the  whole  delight  of 
their  hearts  to  meditate  in  his  holy  law;  that  if 
through  me  as  an  inflrument  they  had  received  any 
benefit,  the  praife  belonged  to  the  Lord  the  only 
fupreme  good;  and  if  in  future  they  did  but  love, 
fear  and  ferve  him,  it  was  little  to  me  whether  they 
ever  remembered  that  I  had  been  amongft  them, 
Neverthelefs  a  participation  of  the  love  of  God  by 
the  members  of  the  true  church,  has  taught  them 
to  know  the  communion  of  faints,  and  the  deeply 
engraven  unity  of  the  one  fpirit,  which  makes  them 
as  Epiftles  written  in  one  another's  hearts,  which 
time  or  diftance  can  never  erafe. 

Having  fpent  firit  and  lail  in  London  about  twen- 
ty three  weeks,  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  eighth 
^  month  and  fixth  of  the  week,  after  a  folid  meeting 
at  Grace  Church-ftreet,  I  felt  myfelf  at  liberty  to 
fet  my  face  homewards;  the  fame  ihip  in  which  I 
came  over,  and  the  fame  captain  Setphen  Mefnard^ 
being  now  ready  to  go  for  Philadelphia,  I  went 
that  night  to  Gravefend  accompanied  by  about 
twelve  friends,  the  next  morning  we  went  on  board 

the 


i66        ^^HE    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

the  fliip,  whf^re  we  had  a  precious  uniting  time,  and 
then  returned  on  fhore  to  dine;  after  which  my 
friend  Samuel  Fothergill  and  myfelf  taking  leave 
of  our  friends  went  on  board  again,  and  pafled 
down  the  Thames  to  Margaret  Bay,  near  the  lile  of 
Thanet;  on  firll  day  the  eleventh  we  w^nt  to  the 
Downs  by  Deal,  tho'  very  much  indifpofed  in  body, 
I  enjoyed  fuch  quietude  of  mind,  that  I  was  borne 
up,  ard  preferved  from  repining:  Samuel  Fother- 
gill before  mentioned,  came  over  with  me  on  a  re- 
ligious vifit  to  friends  in  America;  and  during  our 
paflage,  great  nearnefs  was  between  us ;  we  held 
meetings  conflantly  on  the  firit  and  fifth  days  of 
the  v/eek,  and  landed  near  Wilmington  in  New- 
Caftle  County  on  Delaware  on  the  twenty-fourth  of 
the  ninth  month  (1754)  in  the  forenoon. 

My  brother  William  Brown  with  our  friend  Jo- 
fliua  Dixon  from  the  county  of  Durham  in  Great 
Britain,  who  was  coming  over  alfo  on  a  religious 
vifit  to  friends  in  thefe  colonies,  having  embarked 
in  another  fliip,  which  failed  fome  time  before  us, 
arrived  likewife  the  fame  day,  and  quite  unexpected 
to  each  other  we  met  in  this  town  to  our  mutual 
joy  and  fatisfaCtion ;  from  whence  after  dining,  they 
w^ith  Samuel  Fothergill  proceeded  up  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  I  went  home  that  evening,  where  I  found 
a  kind  reception. 

In  this  vifit  I  was  abfent  from  home  four  years 
and  twelve  days,  having  travelled  by  land  about 
nine  thoufand  one  hundred  miles,  and  attended 
about  one  thoufand  meetings,  befides  thofe  in  Lon- 
don and  Dublin,  (in  which  cities  I  fpent  near  half 
a  year,)  and  vihtcd  all  the  families  of  Friends  in 
t^orth  and  South  Holland. 


CHAP. . 


OS    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         16/ 

C     H     A    P.       V. 

His  attending  the  ^arterly -meetings  at  Fhiladelphia 
and  Concord, — The  Tear ly -meeting  at  Philadelphia^ 
and  ^arterly -meeting  at  Shrewsbury  in  New-Jer- 
fey, — An  Account  of  an  Exercife  attendi?ig  his  mind 
relating  to  War  and  the  Public  Commotions. — -A  Con- 
ference of  fever al  Friends  thereon,   with  their  Ad- 
drefs  to  the  A[fembly  of  Pennfylvania  on  the  Sub- 
jed,    and  an   Epijile  to   Friends  in  that  Province 
in  the  Tear   iyS5'    ^^i^  attendance  of  the  general 
Spring-meeting  in  Philadelphia  in  1756,  and  fome 
Account  of  the  Calamities  of  the  hidian  War  in  Penn- 
fylvania.— An    Account    of  the   Tearly -meeting   in 
Philadelphia  the  fame  Tear. — A  Relation  of  a  Viftt 
of  Peter  Gardner  to  Friends  in  Scotland. — A  brief 
Account  of  an  Indian  Treaty  at  Eafion  in   ly^J^ 
— Sojne  Sentences  expreffed  in  two  of  his  Public 
Teftimonies, 

>UR  Yearly-meeting  for  worfliip  at  Netting* 
ham  was  held  in  the  week  after  I  landed^ 
and  1  was  greatly  rejoiced  to  fee  many  of  my 
friends  and  acquaintance  there. 

In  the  eleventh  month  following  I  went  up  to  the 
quarterly-meeting  in  Philadelphia,  and  returned  to 
ours  at  Concord,  where  alfo  was  Samuel  Fothergill; 
it  was  a  very  large  meeting,  in  which  he  was  di- 
vinely opened  in  fpeaking  to  the  date  of  friends  in 
his  public  miniflry,  and  ferviceable  in  the  difcipline; 
he  alfo  attended  our  general-meeting  in  the  fame 
'  month  at  London-Grove,  which  was  alfo  large  and 
profitable,  then  went  towards  Lancafler  on  his  way 
to  the  Southern  Provinces. 

I  fpent  this  winter  moflly  at  and  near  home,  at 
times  attending  fome  neighbouring  meetings,  until 
towards  the  fpring  I  took  a  fmall  journey  to,  feven 
or  eight  others. 


i68        The    LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

During  my  late  travels  in  Europe,  beholding  the 
declenfion  of  many  of  the  profeflbrs  of  truth  from 
the  ancient  fimplinty  in  habit  and  deportment,  I 
iometimes  was  ready  to  cry  out  and  fay,  O  Penn- 
fylvania!  may  thine  inhabitants  be  for  ever  flrangers 
to  the  vanities  of  the  world,  and  the  profeflbrs 
of  truth  keep  their  garments  clean  from  the  fpots 
thereof,  pride  and  fuperfluity  of  every  kind;  but 
now  with  ibrrow  of  heart,  I  thought  I  beheld  ma- 
ny of  the  youth  in  our  fociety  taking  their  flight  as 
into  the  air,  where  the  fnares  of  the  prince  of  the 
power  thereof  are  laid  to  catch  them,  fome  of  whom 
being  already  fo  much  enfnared  to  their  unfpeaka- 
ble  hurt,  I  knew  them  not  otherwife  than  by  their 
natural  features  and  a  family  refemblance,  their 
demeanour  and  habit  being  fo  exceedingly  altered 
in  a  little  more  th^jin  four  years;  yet  to  my  comfort 
I  faw  a  few,  who  by  walking  in  the  Light,  had 
efcaped  the  wiles  of  fatan  and  were  growing  in 
the  Truth. 

In  the  fourth  month  (1755)  I  attended  the  gene- 
ral annual-meeting  at  Duck-Creek,  alfo  meetings 
at  Little-Creek  and  Georg^'s-Creek,  the  lafl:  of 
which  was  more  open  than  I  expecled,  feveral  of 
other  focieties  being  there,  who  behaved  orderly; 
after  which  I  fpent  mofl:  of  the  fummer  at  home, 
diligently  attending  our  meetings  for  worfliip  and 
difcipline,  and  had  to  obferve  that  the  general  part 
of  the  members  of  our  meeting,  were  for  fome- 
time  remarkable  in  their  care  to  come  together  near 
the  hour  appointed,  and  we  had  fome  precious  op- 
portunities, many  of  which  were  held  in  filence, 
wherein  I  often  faw  it  to  be  a  time  of  renewed  vi- 
fitation  to  many,  wliich  if  not  carefully  improved, 
would  not  be  continued  very  long;  but  that  a  more 
trying  fcafon  would  overtake  us,  (of  which  I  was 
fometimes  led  to  fpeak  as  truth  opened)  wherein  the 
door  of  outward  miniltry  would  be  more  clofed  up, 

whicji 


•     OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         169 

v/hich  would  prove  the  religion  of  the  profefibrs  of 
truth,,  and  manifeft  what  they  attended  meetings 
for,  whether  to  wait  upon  God  for  the  Spiritual 
Bread,  or  on  man  for  outward  miniflry. 

In  the  ninth  month  I  attended  our  yearly-meeting 
In  Philadelphia,  which  was  large  ajid  folid,  where- 
in many  weighty  matters  coming  under  confiderati- 
on  were  concluded  to  farisfaclion,  that  many  friends 
parted  in  a  feeling  fenfe  of  the  overfliadowing  of 
the  Heavenly  wing,  with  reverent  thankfulnefs  o£ 
heart. 

In  the  tenth  month  I  attended  Shrewfbury  quar- 
terly-meeting in  Ead-Jerfey,  at  which  alfo  were  our 
friends  John  Evans  and  Jofeph  White,  it  was  large 
the  fittings  thereof  being  favoured  with  a  degree  of 
the  Divine  prefence^  we  alio  attended  the  monthly- 
meeting  ther§  and  had  fome  fervice;  friends  were 
encouraged  to  deal  with  fuch  who  were  diforderly 
in  conduct,  there  having  been  fome  flacknefs  among 
them  in  that  refpecl:. 

As  the  found  of  war  and  public  commotions, 
had  now  entered  the  borders  of  thefe  heretofore 
peaceful  provinces,  fome  folid  thoughts  attended 
my  mind  at  Shrewroury,  refpecling  the  nature  of 
giving  money  for  the  King's  uie,  knowing  the  fame 
to  I*^e  intended  for  the  carrying  on  of  v^ar.  John 
Evans  accompanying  me  home  weirds,  we  took  three 
meetings  in  our  way,  the  lafi:  being  at  Evefham.,  at 
which  place  I  told  him  that  I  felt  an  engagement  of 
mind  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  and  he  confented  to  go 
"^^'ith  me;  when  we  came  to  the  city  the  AfTembly 
of  Pennfylvania  being  fitting,  we  underftood  that  a 
'Committee  of  the  PIcrufe  was  appointed  to  prepare 
a  bill,  for  granting  a  fum  of  money  for  the  King's 
ufe  to  be  ilTued  in  paper  bills  of  credit,  to  be  called 
in  and  funk  at  a  ftated  time  by  a  tax  on  the  inha- 
bitants, on  which  account  ieveral  friends  were  un- 
der a  clofe  exercife  of'mind,  feme  of  whom  being 

Z  provi- 


lyo        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

providentially  together,  and  conferring  on  the  fub- 
je£t,  concluded  it  .was  expedient  to  requeft  a  con- 
ference with  thofe  members  of  the  Houfe  who 
were  of  our  religious  profeflion;  on  applying  to  the 
Speaker,  who  was  one  himfelf,  we  obtained  an  op- 
portunity of  converfing  with  them,  after  which, 
we  believed  that  an  Addrefs  to  the  Aflembly  would 
be  necelfary;  but  we  then  being  only  few  in  num- 
ber, confulted  with  feveral  weighty  friends  thereon, 
at  length  upwards  of  twenty  met  together,  who 
after  folidly  confidering  the  matter  before  us,  were 
all  of  opinion  that  an  Addrefs  to  the  AfTembly 
would  be  proper  and  neceffary;  whereupon  one 
was  drawn  up,  which  being  confidered,  agreed  to 
and  figned  by  all  of  us,  we  went  together  to  the 
Houfe,  and  prefenting  it  to  the  Speaker,  it  was 
read  while  we  were  prefent;  a  copy  whereof  here 
follows,  viz. 

To  the  Reprefentatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Pennfyhania,    in  General  Ajjembly  met. 

The  Addrefs  of  fome  of  the  People  called  ^takers 
in  the  faid  Province,  on  behalf  of  themfelves 
and  others. 

((  iTpHE  Confideration  of  the  meafures  which 
J|[  have  lately  been  purfued,  and  are  now 
propofed,  having  been  weightily  impreffed  on  our 
minds,  we  apprehend  that  we  Ihould  fall  ihort  of 
our  duty  to  you,  to  ourfelves,  and  to  our  brethren 
in  religious  fellowlhip,  if  we  did  not  in  this  man- 
ner iniorm  you,  that  although  we  f!r:;ll  at  all  times 
heartily  and  freely  contribute,  according  to  our  cir- 
cumllances,  either  by  the  payment  of  Taxes,  or  in 
fuch  other  manner  as  may  be  judged  neceffary, 
towards  the  exigencies  of  Government,  and  fm- 
cerely  dcfire  that  due  care  may  be  taken,  and  pro- 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        171 

per  funds  provided,  for  raifing  money  to  cultivate 
our  friendfliip  with  our  Indian  neighbours,  and  to 
fupport  fuch  of  our  fellow  fubje(as,  who  are  or  may 
be  in  diftrefs,  and  for  fuch  other  hke  benevolent 
purpofes:  Yet  as  the  raifmg  fums  of  money,  and 
putting  them  into  the  hands  of  committees,  who  may 
apply  them  to  purpofes  inconfillent  with  the  peace- 
able Teflimony  we  profefs,  and  have  born  to  the 
world,  appears  to  us  in  its  confequences,  to  be  de- 
ftruftive  of  our  religious  liberties;  we  apprehend 
many  among  us,  will  be  under  the  necefTity  of  fuf- 
fering,  rather  than  confenting  thereto,  by  the  pay- 
ment of  a  tax  for  fuch  purpofes;  and  thus  the 
fundamental  part  of  our  conftitution  may  be  efTen- 
tially  afFefted;  and  that  free  enjoyment  of  liberty 
of  confcience,  for  the  fake  of  which  our  forefa- 
thers left  their  native  country,  and  fettled  this  then 
a  wildernefs,  by  degrees  be  violated." 

"  We  fmcerely  alfure  you,  we  have  no  temporal 
motives  for  thus  addreifmg  you ;  and  could  we  have 
preferved  peace  in  our  own  minds,  and  with  each 
other,  we  fhould  have  declined  it;  being  unwilling 
to  give  you  any  unnecefTary  trouble,  and  deeply 
fenfible  of  your  difficulty  in  difcharging  the  trufl 
committed  to  you,  irreproachable  in  thefe  perilous 
times;  which  hath  engaged  our  fervent  defires, 
that  the  immediate  inftru6lions  of  Supreme  wifdom, 
may  influence  your  minds;  and  that  being  pre- 
ferved in  a  (teady  attention  thereto,  you  may  be 
enabled  to  fecure  peace  and  tranquillity  to  your- 
felves,  and  thofe  you  reprefent,  by  purfuing  mea- 
fures  confident  with  our  peaceable  principles ;  and 
'then  we  trufl:  we  may  continue  humbly  to  confide 
in  the  protection  of  that  Almighty  Power,  whofe 
providence  has  heretofore  been  as  walls  and  bul- 
warks round  about  us." 

Philadelphia,  nth  Mo?ith  "jtb,  lysi' 


^72         The    LT^^E    and    TRAVELS 

A  Bill  was  however  brought  in  by  the  Committee 
of  the  Afiembly,  and  a  Law  enaded  for  granting  a 
large  fum  of  money  propofed  to  be  funk,  or  called 
in  by  a  general  tax. 

When  this  fcrvice  before  related  was  over,  which 
I  apprehended  it  my  duty  to  be  concerned  iin,  I  re- 
turned home;  but  a  dole  exercifc  remained  on  me 
as  v/eli  as  on  the  minds  of  divers  other  friends,  on 
account  of  the  law  now  palTcd;    and  as  care  had 
been  taken   to   apprize  the   Aifcmby  of   the  folid 
fentiments  of  friends  thereon,  that  we  apprehended 
our  charter  refpeding  liberty  of  confcience  would 
therebv  by  affected,    therefore  a  large  committee 
of  the  yearly-meeting,    which  had  been  appointed 
to  vifit  the  quarterly,  and  monthly-meetings,  met 
at  Philadelphia  in  the  twelfth   month,  had  a  con- 
ference  thereon,   together  with  another  committee 
nominated  to  correfpond  with  die  meeting  for  fuf- 
ferings  m  London;  and  after  fcveral  folid  opportu- 
nities of  waiting  on  the  Lord  to  be  rightly  inltruct- 
cd,  in  which  being  favoured  with  a  renewed  fcnfe 
of  the   ownings  of   truth,     many   friends  thought 
they  could  not  be  clear  as  faithful  watchmen,  with- 
out communicating  to  their  brethren,    their  mind 
and  judgment   concerning  the  payment  of  fuch  a 
tax;    for  which  purpofe  an  Epiftle  was  prepared, 
confidered,  agreed   to,    and   figned   by  twenty  one 
friends,  copies  thereof  were  concluded  to  be  com- 
municated to  the  monthly-meetings,  being  as  fol- 
lows, viz. 

An  Epistle  of  tender  Love  and  Caution  to  Friends  in 

Pennfylvania. 

*'  Dear  and  well  .beloved  Friends, 

WE  falute  you  in  a  frefti  and  renewed  fenfe 
of   our   Heavenly   Lather's   Love,    v>'liich 
bath  gracioufly  overfliadowed  us  in  fcveral  weighty 

and 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         173 

and  folid  conferences  we  have  had  togethd*,  with 
many  other  friends,  upon  the  prefent  fitiiation  of 
the  affairs  of  the  fociety  in  this  Province;  and  in 
that  love,  we  find  our  fpirits  engaged  to  acquaint 
you,  that  under  a  foUd  exercife  of  mind  to  feek 
for  council  and  direction,  from  the  High  Prieft  of 
our  profeffion,  who  is  the  Prince  of  Peace:  We 
believe  he  hath  renewedly  favoured  us  with  flrong 
and  .  lively  evidences,  that  in  his  due  and  appointed 
time,  the  day  which  hath  dawned  in  thefe  latter 
ages,  foretold  by  the  Prophet,  wherein  fwords 
Ihould  be  beaten  into  plough-ihares,  and  fpears 
into  pruning-hooks,  fliall  gl orioufiy  rife  higher  and 
higher;  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Gofpel,  which  teaches 
to  love  enemies,  prevail  to  that  degree,"  that  the 
art  of  v<^ar  flaall  be  no  more  learned.  And  that  it 
is  his  detemination  to  exalt  this  bleffed  day,  in  this 
our  age,  if  in  the  depth  of  humility  we  receive 
his  inilru6lions,  and  obey  his  voice:  And  beino* 
painfully  apprehenfive,  that  the  large  fum  granted 
by  the  late  Acl  of  Affembly  for  the  King's  ufe,  is 
principally  intended  for  purpofes  inconfiilent  v/Ith 
our  peaceable  teftimony;  we  therefore  think,  that 
as  we  cannot  be  concerned  in  wars  and  fightings, 
fo  neither  ought  we  to  contribute  thereto,  by  pay- 
ing the  tax  directed  by  the  faid  ad,  though  fuffcr- 
ing  be  the  confequence  of  our  refufal,  which  w^e 
hope  to  be  enabled  to  bear  with  patience.  And 
though  fome  part  of  the  money  to  be  raifed  by  the 
faid  a6f,  is  faid  to  be  for  fuch  benevolent  purpofes, 
as  fupporting  our  friendfliip  v/ith  our  Indian  neigh-- 
^bours,  and  relieving  the  dilLrcfifes  of  our  fellow 
fubjeds,  who  have  fufFered  in  the  prefent  calami- 
ties, for  whom  our  hearts  are  deeply  pained,  and 
we  affeftionatcly,  and  with  bowels  of  tendernefs, 
fympathize  with  them  therein;  and  we  could  moR 
chearfully  contribute  to  thofe  purpofes,  if  they  were 
not  fo  mixed,  that  we  cannot  in  the  manner  prc- 
pofed;  iliew  cur  hearty  concurrence  therewith,  with- 


174        The    LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

nut  at  the  fame  time  aiTenting  to,  or  allowing  our-r 
felves  in  practices,  which  we  apprehend  contrary 
to  the  teliiniony  which  the  Lord  hath  given  us  to 
bear,  for  his  name  and  truth's  fake. 

And  having  the  health  and  profpecity  of  the  fo- 
ciety  at  heart,  we  earneftly  exhort  friends  to  wait 
for  the  appearing  of  the  true  Light,  and  ftand  in 
the  council  of  God,  that  we  may  know  him  to  be 
the  Rock  of  Salvation,  and  place  of  our  Refuge 
forever.  And  beware  of  the  fpirit  of  the  world, 
that  is  unftable,  and  often  draws  into  dark  and  ti- 
morous reafonings;  left  the  god  thereof  fliould  be 
fuffered  to  blind  the  eye  of  the  mind:  And  fuch, 
not  knowing  the  fure  Foundation,  the  Rock  of 
Ages,  may  partake  of  the  terrors  and  fears,  that 
are  not  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  place, 
where  the  (heep  and  iambs  of  Chrift  ever  had  a 
cuiet  habitation,  which  a  remnant  have  to  fay,  to 
the  praife  of  his  name,  they  have  been  blefled  with 
a  meafure  of,  in  this  day  of  diftrefs. 

And  as  our  fidelity  to  the  prefent  government, 
and  our  willingly  paying  all  taxes  for  purpofes 
which  do  not  interfere  with  our  confciences,  may 
juftly  exempt  us  from  the  imputation  of  dilloyalty: 
So  we  earneftly  defire  that  all  who  by  a  deep  and 
quiet  feeking  for  direction  from  the  Koly  Spirit, 
are  or  fliall  be  convinced  that  he  calls  us  as  a  people 
to  this  teftimony,  may  dwell  under  the  guidance  of 
the  fame  Divine  Spirit,  and  manifeft  by  the  meek- 
nefs  and  humility  of  their  convcrfation,  that  they 
^re  really  under  that  influence;  and  therein  may 
know  true  fortitude  and  patience  to  bear  that,  and 
every  other  teftimony  co/ijmitted  to  them,  faithfully 
and  uniformly:  And  that  all  friends  may  know 
their  fpirits  cloathed  and  covered  with  true  charity, 
the  bond  of  Chriftian  fellowftiip,  wherein  we  again 
tenderly  falute  you,  and  remain  your  Friends  and 
Brethren." 

Philadelphia,  12th  Month  iC^h^  175J. 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         175 

In  the  Year  1756  I  attended  our  general  fpring- 
nieeting  in  Philadelphia,  at  which  we  had  the  com- 
pany of  our  dear  friends  Samuel  Fothcrgiil  and 
Catharine  Payton  from  Great  Britain,  and  her 
companion  Mary  Pealley  from  Ireland,  and  it  was 
a  folemn  edifying  meeting. 

The  Indians  having  burnt  feveral  houfes  on  the 
frontiers  of  this  Province,  alfo  at  Gnadenhutten  in 
Northampton  County,  and  murdered  and  fcalped 
fome  of  the  inhabitants ;  at  the  time  of  this  meet- 
ing two  or  three  of  the  dead  bodies  were  brought 
to  Philadelphia  in  a  v/aggon,  with  an  intent  as  was 
fuppofed  to  animate  the  people  to  unite  in  prepara- 
tions of  war  to  take  vengeance  on  the  Indians,  and 
deflroy  them:  They  were  carried  along  feveral  of 
the  flreets,  many  people  following,  curfmg  the  In- 
dians, alfo  the  Quakers  becaufe  they  would  not  join 
in  war  for  deftrudion  of  the  Indians.  The  iight 
of  the  dead  bodies  and  the  outcry  of  the  people, 
were  very  affliding  and  (hocking  to  me:  Standing 
at  the  door  of  a  friend's  houle  as  they  pafled 
along,  my  mind  was  humbled  and  turned  much 
inward  when  I  was  made  fecretly  to  cry;  What  will 
becofne  of  Pennfylvaniaf  for  it  felt  to  me  that  many- 
did  not  confider,  that  the  fms  of  the  inhabitants, 
pride,  profane  fwearing,  drunkennefs  with  other 
wickednefs  were  the  caufe,  that  the  Lord  had  fuf- 
fered  this  calamity  and  fcourge  to  come  upon  them; 
the  weight  of  my  exercife  increahng  as  1  walked 
along  the  ftreet;  at  length  it  wasTaid  in  my  foul, 
This  Land  is  polluted  with  bloody  and  in  the  day  of 
inquifition  for  bloody  it  will  not  only  be  required  at 
^the  frontiers  and  borders^  but  even  in  this  place 
where  thefe  bodies  are  now  feen,  I  faid  within  myfelf, 
"  How  can  this  be?  hnce  this  has  been  a  land  of 
peace,  and  as  yet  not  much  concerned  in  war;"  but 
as  it  were  in  a  moment  mine  eyes  turned  to  the  cafe 
of  the  poor  enilaved  Negroes:  And  however  light 

a  mat- 


176         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

a  matter  they  who  have  been  concerned  with  thei'A 
may  look  upon  the  purchaling,  felling,  or  keeping 
thoi'e  opprelfed  people  in  flavery,  it  then  appeared 
plain  to  me,  that  I'uch  were  partakers  in  iniquity, 
encouragers  of  war  and  the  (hcdding  of  innocent 
blood,  which  is  often  the  cafe,  where  thofe  unhap- 
py people  are  or  have  been  captivated  and  brought 
away  for  flaves :  The  fame  day  I  w^nt  to  Pine-ftreet 
meeting  under  an  exercifing  mournful  flate  of  mind, 
and  thought  I  could  be  willing  to  fit  among  the  peo- 
ple undifcovered. 

i  attended  our  Quarterly-meeting  at  Concord  in 
the  fifth  month,  and  in  a  few  days  after  went  to  the 
yearly-meeting  at  Wefl-River  iii  Maryland,  which 
was  large  and  in  a  good  degree  fatisla(^ory,  then 
going  to  meetings  at  Herring-Creek,  and  the  Clifts, 
returned  the  following  hrft  day  to  Weft-River, 
where  I  had  a  good  opportunity  to  clear  myfeif 
towards  friends  of  that  place;  being  concerned  on 
account  of  feveral  of  the  elders,  vi'ho  did  not  con- 
duel  fo  examplary  as  they  ought  before  the  youth, 
and  left  them  relieved  in  my  mind ;  from  thence  I 
returned  home,  taking  feveral  meetings  in  my  way. 

In  the  ninth  month  I  was  at  our  yearly- meeting 
for  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey,  held  this  year  at 
Burlington,  which  was  large  and  edifying;  many 
weighty  matters  being  in  mu<:h  brotherly  love  re- 
fulted  to  fatisfaction,  our  friend  Thomas  Gawthrop 
from  Great  Britain  was  there,  in  the  time  there- 
of our  worthy*  friend  and  brother  John  Evans  of 
Gwynnedd  departing  this  life,  Thomas  and  I  wenf 
to  attend  the  burial,  on  which  folemn  occafion, 
he  had  a  feafonable  opportunity  to  remind  a  large 
gathering  of  people  of  their  latter  end,  and  I  thought 
it  was  a  iolid  time. 

Being  one  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
yearly-meeting  to  vifit  the  quarterly  and  monthly- 
meetings,  1  was  carefuf  in  attending  on  that  fervice, 

as 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         177 

as  way  was  opened  in  company  with  other  friends^ 
as  hkewife  our  meeting  for  fufferings  this  year 
eflabHflied,  which  is  held  monthly  in  Philadelphia, 
frequently  taking  meetings  in  my  way  going  and 
returning. 

In  the  Sprmg  of  the  year  1757,  I  alfo  attended 
our  general- meeting  for  miniflers  and  elders  h-eld 
at  Philadelphia. 

Having  often  remembered  a  remarkable  account 
given  me  when  in  England  by  our  ancient  worthy 
friend  John  Ricliardfon,  which  as  it  made  fome  im- 
preffion  on  my  mind  I  committed  to  writing,  and 
now  reviving  think  it  is  worthy  to  be  preferved, 
being  nearly  as  follows,  tho'  I  was  not  particular 
in  regard  to  the  time  of  the  occurrence, i;/z. 

"  Peter  Gardner,  a  Friend  who  lived  in  Eflex^ 
had  a  concern  to  vifit  friends  in  Scotland;  but 
being  low  in  circumdances,  and  having  a  wife  and 
feveral  children,  was  under  difcouragement  about 
it:  The  Lord  in  mercy  condefcended  to  remove 
his  doubts,  by  letting  him  know  he  would  be  with 
him,  and  though  he  had  no  horfe  to  ride,  and  was 
but  a  weakly  man,  yet  he  would  give  him  ftrength 
to  perform  the  journey,  and  fuftain  him  fo  that  he 
fhould  not  want  for  what  was  fufficient.  And  having 
faith,  he  laid  his  concern  before  the  monthly-meet- 
ing he  belonged  to,  with  innocent  weight;  and 
friends  concurring  with  him  therein,  he  took  his 
journey  along  the  Eafl-fide  of  the  Nation,  through 
Norfolk,  Lincolnfhire,  and  Yorkfnire,  and  coming 
to  a  week-day  meeting  at  Bridlington  where  John 
Richardfon  then  dwelt,  he  lodged  at  his  houfe.  In 
'^the  evening  the  doors  being  fhut,  Peter  aflied  him 
if  any  friend  lived  that  way,  (pointing  with  his 
finger)  John  told  him  he  pointed  fi[3 wards  the  fea, 
which  was  not  far  from  thence ;  he  Mid  he  believed 
he  muil  go  and  fee  fomebody  that  way  in  the  morn- 

A  a  inq". 


17$        The   LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

ing;  John  aiked  lilni  if  he  fhould  go  with  him?  he 
faid  he  beUeved  it  would  not  be  bed,  and  fo  went 
to  bed.'' 

"  In  the  morning  when  John's  wife  had  prepared 
breakfail,  he  thought  he  would  go  and  fee  if  the 
friend  was  well,  but  found  the  bed  empty,  and  that 
he  was  gone,  at  which  John  llichardfon  wondred; 
but  foon  after  Peter  came  in,  to  whom  John  faid. 
Thou  hafl:  taken  a  morning  walk,  come  to  break- 
fail:  And  before  they  had  done  eating,  a  friend 
from  the  Quay  or  harbour  (the  way  that  Peter 
Gardner  pointed  to  over  night)  .came  in,  and  faid, 
"  1  wonder  at  thee  John,  to  fend  this  man  with  fuch 
a  meflage  to  my  houfe,"  and  related  as  follows, 
17^:.  That  he  came  to  him  as  he  was  (landing  at  the 
Fiih-market-Place,  looking  on  the  fea,  to  obferve 
the  wind,  That  he  aiked  him  if  he  would  walk  into 
his  houfe?  to  which  Peter  anfwered  that  he  came 
for  that  purpofe ;  (this  was  in  the  twilight  of  the 
morning,)  that  when  he  went  into  the  houfe,  he 
enquired  whether  his  wife  was  well,  to  which  the 
man  anfwered,  that  (lie  was  fick  in  bed,  and  in- 
vited him  to  go  in  and  fee  her;  he  faid  he  came  fo 
to  do:  Then  being  conduced  into  the  chamber 
where  the  fick  woman  was,  he  fat  down  by  her; 
tmd  after  a  fhort  time  told  her,  the  will  and  refig- 
nation  of  her  mind  was  accepted  inflead  of  the 
deed,  and  that  ihe  was  excufed  from  the  journey 
which  had  been  before  her,  and  ihould  die  in  peace 
with  God  and  men:  Then  turning  to  the  man  (her 
hufband)  he  faid,  Thy  wife  had  a  concern  to  vifit 
the  churclies  in  another  country  beyond  the  fea, 
but  thou  wouldll  not  give  her  leave,  fo  llie  fhall  be 
taken  from  th«e;  and  behold,  the  Lord's  hand  is 
againft  thee,r'and  thou  flialt  be  blafled  in  whatfo- 
ever  thou  docfjh,  and  reduced  to  want  thy  bread. 
So  the  mm  fremed  angry  with  John  llichardfon, 
who  faid  to  him,  "  be  Itiil,  and  weigh  the  matter, 

for 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        :i79 

for  I  knew  not  of  the  friend's  going  to  thy  houfe; 
but  thought  he  was  in  bed,  and  did  not  inform  him 
about  thee  nor  thy  wife,'*  at  which  he  went  away. 
So  Peter  purfued  his  journey  towards  Scotland, 
John  Richardfon  and  another  friend  going  with 
him  to  Scarborough  on  horfe  back,  (for  he  would 
not  let  them  go  on  foot  with  him,)  he  kept  before 
them  full  as  fail  as  they  chofe  to  ride;  and  when 
they  had  gone  about  half  way,  he  gained  ground 
of  them,  and  John  faid  he  was  filled  with  admira- 
tion for  he  feemed  to  go  with  more  flight  and  eafe, 
he  thought  than  ever  he  had  feen  any  man  before: 
And  riding  faft  to  overtake  him,  he  thought  he  be- 
held a  fmall  white  cloud  as  it  were  encompafling  his 
head;  when  he  overtook  him  John  faid  to  him. 
Thou  doeft  travel  very  fad ;  Peter  replied,  my  ma- 
iler told  me  before  1  left  home,  that  he  would  give 
me  hinds  feet,  and  he  hath  performed  his  promife 


to  me." 


"  When  they  came  in  fight  of  Scarborough,  Peter 
faid,  take  me  to  a  friend's  houfe  if  there  is  any 
there;  John  replied,  I  will  take  thee  to  the  place 
where  I  lodgCj,  and  if  thou  art  not  eafy  there,  I  will 
go  until  we  find  a  place,  if  it  may  be:  So  John 
Richardfon  took  him  to  his  lodgings,  and  jufl  as 
they  entered  the  door,  they  heard  fome  one  go  up 
flairs,  and  anon  the  woman  friend  of  the  houfe 
coming  down  with  a  neighbour  of  hers  invited  them 
to  fit  down;  and  in  a  fliort  time,  Peter  faith.  Here 
is  light  and  darknefs,  good  and  bad  in  this  houfe. 
The  woman,  after  fhe  had  got  them  fome  refrefh- 
ment,  came  and  afl^ed  John,  "  who  hail  thou 
'  brought  here?"  A  man  of  God,  he  replied.  Having 
a  meeting  at  Scarborough  the  next  day,  John  Rich- 
ardfon flaid  with  him,  and  faid  he  had  good  fer- 
vice;  he  alfo  went  with  him  to  feveral  friends  houfes 
there,  and  he  frequently  fpake  his  fcnfe  of  the  flate 
of  the  families;  but  as  they  were  near  entering  one 

houfe^ 


i8o        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

houfe,  Peter  flopped,  and  faid,  my  M after  is  not 
there,  I  will  not  go  in,  fo  they  turned  away." 

*'  Next  morning  at  parting,  John  Richardfon  afked 
him  how  he  was  prepared  for  money,  telling  him 
the  journey  was  long;  to  whom  Peter  anfwered, 
I  have  enough,  my  Mafter  told  me  I  Ihould  not 
■want,  and  now,  a  bit  of  bread,  and  fome  water 
from  a  brook  refreflies  me  as  much  as  a  fet  meal  at 
a  table:  But  John  inlifted  to  fee  how  much  money 
he  had,  which  was  but  two  half-crowns;  upon 
vhich  John  took  a  handful!  of  fmall  pieces  out  of 
his  pocket,  and  forced  Peter  to  take  them,  telling 
him  it  was  as  free  to  him  as  his  own,  for  fo  the 
Lord  had  put  it  into  his  heart;  thus  they  parted, 
John  and  the  other  friend  returning  home." 

"  In  about  two  weeks  afterwards  the  man's  wife 
(before  mentioned)  died,  as  Peter  had  foretold;  at 
that  time,  the  fame  man  had  three  fliips  at  fea,  liis 
fon  was  mailer  of  one,  a  fecond  fon  was  on  board 
another,  and  in  their  voyages  they  were  all  wreck- 
ed or  foundered  and  their  cargoes  chiefiy  loft;  his 
two  fons  and  feveral  of  the  hands  being  drowned : 
The  man  foon  after  broke  and  could  not  pay  his 
debts,  but  came  to  want  bread  before  he  died, 
though  he  had  been  in  good  circumftances,  if  not 
very  rich." 

"  John  Richardfon  further  faid,  That  after  fome 
time  he  heard  Peter  Gardner  was  dead  in  Cumber- 
land, on  his  return  from  Scotland,  and  being  at- 
tached to  him  in  near  affection,  he  went  to  enquire 
how  he  ended." 

"  John  Bowftead  a  noted  friend  near  Carlifle  gave, 
him  an  account  that  Peter  had  been  through  Scot- 
land, and  came  to  Carlifle,  and  the  fmall  pox  being 
there,  he  took  the  infcdion  very  fuddenly  and  lay 
ill  with  it:  So  J.  Bowftead  went  juft  as  the  pock 
was  coming  out  on  him,  and  took  him  to  his  houfe, 
they  never  caiue  out  kindly,  but  fvvelled  him  very 

much. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         i8i 

much,  fo  that  he  was  blind,  and  died  about  the 
feventh  day,  was  quite  fenfible  to  the  laft,  and 
knew  the  ftates  of  thofewho  came  to  fee  him:  He 
had  enough  to  pay  his  funeral  charges." 

On  the  twelfth  of  the  feventh  month  this  year 
i  left  home,  in  order  to  attend  a  treaty  to  be  held 
between  the  Indians  and  our  Government  at  Eaflon 
in  Northampton  County;  and  proceeded  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  I  was  prefent  at  feveral  conferences 
with  friends,  the  Governor  having  declared  his  dif- 
like  to  their  attendance  at  that  treaty,  or  their  di- 
ftinguifhing  themfelves  by  giving  the  Indians  any 
prefents;  the  refult  was,  that  as  mutual  tokens  of 
the  revival  of  antient  friendiliip  had  palled  between 
them  and  the  Indians,  v/ith  a  veiw  to  promote  a 
general  peace;  it  would  be  of  bad  confequence 
now  to  negled  or  decline  attending  on  this  import- 
ant occafion;  tho'  it  was  judged  necelTary  for  friends 
to  adl  with  great  caution.  We  therefore  fet  for- 
ward, and  taking  a  meeting  at  Gwynnedd  in  the 
way,  reached  Eailon  on  fourth  day  the  twenty-firft 
of  the  month,  the  Governor  being  got  there  about 
two  hours  before  us;  but  did  not  enter  on  bufmefs 
that  day. 

Many  friends  from  Philadelphia  and  other  parts 
being  here  colle(5led,  we  held  a  meeting  on  fifth 
day  which  was  low  and  dull,  things  appearing  very 
dark;  in  the  afternoon  the  Indians  with  Teedvuf- 
cung  their  King,  or  chief  man,  went  to  the  Go- 
vernor and  fignified  the  fmcerity  of  their  intentions 
to  promote  the  good  work  of  peace,  when  he  de- 
livered feveral  firings  and  belts  of  wampum,  in 
order  to  certify  the  full  power  and  authority  given 
to  Teedyufcung  for  that  purpofe,  who  alfo  delired 
that  as  things  had  heretofore  been  mifunderflood 
or  forgotten,  he  might  have  the  liberty  to  choofe  a 
clerk  to  take  the  minutes  of  the  tranfadions  at  this 
treaty  on  behalf  of  the  Indians,  which  was  put  qS 
by  the  Governor  at  tha,t  time. 


i82        Thh    life   and    travels 

Next  morning  Teedyufcung  renewed  the  fame 
tequeft,  but  was  again  put  by:  Tlien  the  Indians 
began  to  be  very  unealy,  from  an  apprehcnfion  that 
fome  people  from  the  Jerfey  fide  of  the  river  were 
Jikely  to  rife,  with  a  defign  to  dellroy  them;  but  on 
going  to  converfe  with  them,  and  giving  them  fome 
pipes  and  tobacco,  which  they  were  told  was  a 
prefent  from  friends,  they  became  more  quiet,  and 
fcemingly  pacified;  this  day  and  the  next  there  was 
little  bufmefs  done. 

On  fird:  day  the  twenty-fourth  of  the  month, 
friends  held  a  public  meeting  in  the  Treaty-booth 
to  pretty  good  fatisfaclion,  to  which  a  great  num- 
ber of  people  came,  two  friends  having  acceptable 
fcrvice  therein;  in  the  afternoon  friends  met  again; 
but  there  feemed  fo  great  a  cloud  over  the  meeting, 
by  reafon  of  a  raw  carelefs  fpirit  prevailing  over  the 
minds  of  the  people,  as  though  there  was  no- God, 
notwithftanding  his  judgments  are  fo  confpicuous, 
cfpecially  in  thefe  parts  of  the  country,  that  life 
did  not  arife  in  this  meeting,  about  funfet  this  even- 
m<^  we  heard  that  the  Mohawk  Indians  had  re- 
quefted  to  have  a  fire  made  to  dance  round,  which 
the  governor  allowed,  as  he  had  the  evening  before 
to  the  Delawares,  with  both  which  we  were  very 
uneafy,  as  the  tendency  thereof  was  to  make  the 
Indians  drunk;  but  no  endeavours  of  ours  could 
prevent  it. 

On  fecond  day  morning  the  Governor  agreed  to 
allow  the  Indian  King  to  choole  himfelf  a  clerk, 
vhich  he  did,  and  about  one  o'clock  that  day  the 
treaty  was  firfl  opened'  in  public,  when  Teedyuf- 
cung was  defircd  fully  to  inform  with  an  open 
heart,  wherein  he  apprehended  the  Indians  had 
been  defrauded  by  the  Proprietaries,  to  which  he 
anfwered  that  he  would  to-morrow;  but  they  muli 
firfl  clean  up  the  blood,  (as  he  expreifed  it)  and 
bury  the  dead  bodies:  Next  day  being  again  met, 

the 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAR         183 

the  King  faid,  "  that  according  to  his  word,  he. 
had  now  met  fome  of  the  feveral  nations  to  do 
what  they  could  for  fettling  peace;  but  now  in  the 
firil  place  he  had  feen,  and  confidered  the  black 
cloud  that  hung  over  the  land,  the  blood  and  bodies 
of  the  people  who  had  fufFered,'*  and  then  faid, 
"  I  have  gathered  up  the  ftained  leaves,  the  blood 
and  dead  bodies,  and  looked  round  about,  when 
all  feemed  terrible,  that  1  could  find  no  place  to 
hide  them;  but  looking  up,  I  faw  the  great  and 
good  Spirit  above;  let  us  heartily  join  in  prayer  to 
him,  that  he  may  give  us  power  to  bury  all  thefe 
things  out  of  our  fight,  that  neither  the  evil  fpirit, 
nor  any  wicked  perfoii  may  ever  be  able  to  raife 
them;  that  we  may  love  like  brethren,  and  the 
fun  may  fliine  clear  upon  us,  that  we,  our  wives, 
our  young  men  and  children  may  rejoice  in  a  lading 
peace,  that  we  may  eat  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and 
they  may  do  us  good,  fo  that  we  may  enjoy  peace 
in  the  day  time,  and  at  night  lay  down  and  fieep 
in  it."  Gave  a  belt  of  feventeen  rows  of  wampum. 
By  another  belt  he  told  the  Governor,  that  he 
took  him  by  one  hand,  and  the  five  nations  of  In- 
dians and  their  allies  took  him  by  the  other,  there- 
fore faid  he,  let  us  all  (land  as  one  man,  with  one 
heart  and  one  mind,  and  join  in  this  good  work  of 
peace.  V/hen  we  intend  to  lift  or  remove  a  great 
weight,  we  mufl  be  ftrong,  if  all  do  not  exert 
themfelves  we  can  never  do  it;  but  if  all  heartily 
join,  it  is  eafy  to  remove  it,  our  forefathers  did  not 
proceed  right  when  they  met  together,  they  looked 
at  the  earth  and  things  prefent,  which  will  foon  pafs 
out  of  our  fight;  but  did  not  look  forward  to  the 
good  of  pofterity.  Let  us  fet  out  right,  and  do 
better  than  they  did,  that  a  peace  may  be  fettled 
which  may  laft  to  our  children. 
-  He  next  acquainted  the  Governor,  that  one  o^ 
the  melfengers  who  had  gone  on  a  late  meifagc 


to 


x84        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

to  the  Indians  a  far  off,  (meaning  Mofes  Tatamy^s 
fon)  was  fliot  on  his  return  by  one  of  our  young 
men,  and  lay  in  a  dangerous  condition;  and  by  a 
firing  of  wampum  infilled,  that  if  he  died,  the 
other  fhould  be  tried  by  onr  law,  and  fuifcr  death 
alfo;  and  that  lome  of  their  people  fliould  be  pre- 
fent,  to  be  able  to  inform  the  other  nations  of  In- 
dians of  the  judice  done.  He  alfo  revived  the  an- 
cient agreement,  that  if  any  of  them  fhould  commit 
the  like  oft'ence,  the  criminal  fhould  be  delivered 
up  to  be  tried  according  to  our  laws,  and  fuffer 
death  in  the  fame  manner. 

On  fourth  day  there  was  no  public  treaty,  things 
feemed  in  much  confufion  and  very  dull ;  but  friends 
kept  quiet ;  the  next  day  I  found  myfelf  much  indif- 
pofed,  and  therefore  thought  it  befl  to  leave  Eaflon 
before  the  treaty  ended ;  but  before  I  left  it  friends 
had  a  folemn  opportunity  together,  at  which  time 
I  thought  I  faw,  that  the  working  of  the  dark 
revengeful  fpirit,  which  oppofed  the  meafures  of 
peace,  was  one  reafon  why  friends  were  fo  baptized 
into  dillrefs  and  futfering,  of  which  I  made  fome 
mention  to  friends,  and  that  if  they  kept  quiet,  the 
clouds  as  to  them  would  fomewhat  break  away; 
Daniel  Stanton  had  a  folemn  time  in  fupplication. 
After  this  meeting  taking  leave  of  friends,  I  rode 
to  Richland,  and  tho'  my  diilemper  increafed  and 
I  was  very  ill,  I  purfued  my  journey  the  next  day, 
and  the  day  following  reached  Philadelphia,  where 
I  was  carefully  attended  through  a  time  of  tedious 
and  clofe  allliclion,  my  dear  wife  coming  to  me  in 
fny  illncfs  was  alfo  taken  with  the  fame  diforder, 
that  we  were  not  able  to  move  homewards  until  the 
twenty-third  of  the  eighth  month,  but  through  the 
goodnefs  of  kind  providence  in  fupporting  us,  got 
to  our  own  habitation  the  next  day  in  the  evening, 
where  after  about  a  week's  Hay  1  let  out  again  to 
attend  the  meeting  for  furlcrings  in  Philadelphia, 

-V  and 


^t*'* 


6F   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         I85 

and  tho'  very  weak,  got  there,  after  tarrying  part 
of  three  days  in  town,  went  forward  in  order  to 
attend  the  monthly-meetings  in  Bucks  County,  of 
which  I  had  a  view  while  1  lay  fick,  when  it  ap-- 
peared  to  me  the  way  to  recover  my  (Irength  was, 
to  be  faithful  to  every  difcovery  of  duty;  according- 
ly in  company  with  feveral  other  friends  appointed 
by  the  yearly-meeting,  I  vifited  the  feveral  monthly 
meetings  in  that  county,  in  fome  of  which  a  good 
degree  of  the  Divine  prefence  being  felt,  was  caufe 
of  thankfulnefs  •,  tho'  at  one  of  them  we  had  fome 
remarkable  clofe  work,  both  in  the  time  of  worfhip 
and  difcipline. 

Returning  to  Philadelphia  I  perceived  myfelf 
much  recovered,  fpent  five  days  there  attending 
meetings  as  they  came  in  courfe;  and  theu  went  ta 
Newtown  meeting  in  Cheiler  County,  which  was 
fmall,  there  being  an  evident  llacknefs  of  attending 
week  day  meetings;  from  thence  Iv/ent  to  Uwch- 
Ian,  to  the  marriage  of  William  Trimble  and  Phebe 
Thomas,  which  was  a  good  meeting,  where  I  met 
my  dear  wife  on  her  way  to  the  yearly-meeting  at 
Philadelphia ;  and  after  attending  a  meeting  at  Mer- 
rion,  we  went  into  the  city  the  next  evening;  cur 
friends  Thomas  Gawthrop,  Samuel  Spavold,  Wil- 
liam Reckitt  and  others  from  Great  Britain,  alfo 
Thomas  Nicholfon  from  North-Carolina,  were  at 
this  yearly-meeting,  which  was  large  and  fatisfaclo- 
ry,  holding  from  the  feventeenth  to  the  tv/enty- 
fourth  of  the  ninth  month,^  ^ISl' 

Here  I  may  note,  that  before  I  left  home  to  at- 
tend the  late  Indian  treaty  at  Eafton :  In  my  fieep  I 
thought  I  was  riding  Eaftward  in  the  twilight,  and 
faw  a  light  before  me  towards  fun-rifing,  which  did 
not  appear  to  be  a  common  light,  but  foon  obferved 
the  appearance  of  fomething  therein,  whereat  the 
beafl:  that  I  rode  was  much  aifrighted  and  would 
have  ran  fr6m  it,  which  I  knew  would  be  in  vain^ 

B  b  for 


i86         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

for  I  took  it  to  be  an  Angel,  whofe  motion  was  a^ 
fwift  as  thought,    fo  rather  llopt  and  reined  in  my 
bead  towards  it;  it  was  encompafled  with  a  bright- 
nefs  Hke  a  rainbow,  with  a  large  loofe  garment  of 
the  fame  colour  down  to  the  feet;  it  rather  feemed 
to  move  even  along  than  to  walk,  and  then  Hood 
flill  in  the  midft  of  many  curious  (lacks  of  corn; 
it  was  of  a  human  form  about  feven  feet  high  (as  I 
thought,)  and  fmiling  on  me,  afked  where  I  was  go- 
ing ;  I  faid  towards  yonder  building,  which  I  thought 
was  an  elegant  one  diredtly  before  me;  it  feemed 
to  approve  my  way  and  vaniflied  upwards.     Then 
I  awakened  and  had  particularly  to  remember  the 
complexion  of  this  angelic  apparition,  which  was 
not  much  different  from  one  of  the  Indians  clean 
wafhed  from  his  greafe  and  filth;  remembering  my 
dream  very  frefli,    when  I  had  feen  the  Indians  at 
the  treaty,  and  had  heard  fome  matters  remarkably 
fpoken  by  fome  particulars  of  them,  I  was  made 
to  believe  it  was  not  unreafonable  to  conclude,  that 
the  Lord  was  in  them  by  his  good  Spirit,  and  that 
all  colours  were  equal  to  him,  who  gave  life  and 
being  to  all  mankind;  we  (liould  therefore  be  care- 
full  to  examine  deeper  than  the  outward  appearance, 
with  a  tender  regard  to  flation  and  education,  if 
we  defire  to  be  preferved  from  error  in  judgment. 


The  folloiving  Sentences  being  delivered  in  two  of 
his  public  tejli monies,  were  fooh  after  committed  to 
writing  by  a  friend  who  was  pr'efent,  and  appearing 
worthy  to  be  further  preferved  are  7iow  communicated^ 
— viz. 

In  a  firfl  day  meeting  at  Eafl:  Nottingham  the 
nineteenth  of  the  twelfth  month  1756,  he  expreffed 
nearly  as  follows. 

*'  I   felt   my   mind   in   this   meeting  remarkably 

"  drawn  from  outward  obfcrvation,  and  was  com- 

♦  •'  mauded 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         187 

<^  manded  to  center  in  deep  and  awful  filence, 
"  wherein  there  was  fuch  a  flowing  of  good  will 
**  to  mankind,  as  is  fcarcely  to  be  uttered  by  tongue; 
*'  but  thus  centering  with  diligent  attention,  I 
thought  I  felt  a  ftrong  power  of  darknefs  and 
ftupid  ignorance,  feemingly  combined  to  make 
war  againlt  this  folemn  attention  of  mind;  yet 
after  patiently  waiting  fome  time,  to  my  comfort 
I  felt  a  fccret  vidory,  and  the  darknefs  vanilhed ; 
*'  Then,  a  voicv  was  uttered  in  me  attended  (I 
thought)  with  Divine  authority  thus,  /  will  boiQ 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earthy  and  particularly  of 
this  land^  and  I  will  make  them  fear  and  reverence 
?ne^  either  in  mercy  or  in  judgment ;  hereupon  a 
profped  immediately  opened  to  my  view  of  a 
day  of  calamity  antl  fore  diftrefs  which  was  ap- 
proaching, and  in  which  the  carelefs  and  ftupid 
profelTors,  who  are  eafy,  and  not  concerned  to 
properly  worftiip  and  adore  the  almighty,  and 
''  have  not  laboured  to  witnefs  their  foundation  to 
"  be  laid  on  him  the  immoveable  Rock,  will  be 
greatly  furprifed  with  fearfulnefs;  and  on  the 
behalf  of  fuch,  a  piercing  cry  and  lamentation 
ran  through  me,  thus,  Alas  for  the  day!  Alas  for 
the  day!  Woe  is  me!  (feveral  times  repeated)  and 
'*  a  voice  which  feemed  to  be  connected  with  the 
"  foregoing,  faid  further,  yet  once  more  faith  the 
"  Lord,  1  Ihake  not  the  earth  only  but  alfo  heaven : 
<*  Not  only  the  fituation  of  thofe  that  know  not 
*'  any  place  of  fefety  or  refuge,  that  which  is  out- 
''  ward  and  earthly;  but  alio  thofe  who  ailume  a 
^^'  higher  place  and  in  their  fpecious  appearances 
and  falfe  pretences  amongft  men,  do  value  them- 
felves  on  their  affumed  goodnefs,  and  would  fain 
be  accounted  of  the  higheit  rank,  and  even  place 
<'  themfelves  among  the  faints,  and  are  by  fome 
^^  accounted  as  ftars  in  the  firmament;  yet  in  the 

"  day 


i88         The    LIFE    and    TRAV:pLS 

"  day  of  my  power  wherein  I  will  fliake  the  hea- 
*'  vens,  and  the  earth,  thofe  flars  fhall  fall  to  the 
*'   rrround. 

'*  In  the  opening,  fomethmg  withm  me  was  ready 
^^  to  fay,  amen  fo  be  it,  O  Lord  Almighty,  cut 
*'  fliort  thy  w^ork  in  the  earth,  in  order  that  thou 
*'  may 'ft  put  an  end  to  fin,  and  finiOi  tranfgreflion, 
*'  that  thy  fear,  and  the  knowledge  of  thee,  may 
*'  coyer  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  fea. 
f'  Wherefore,  my  friends,  the  fervent  defire  of  my 
*'  ipul  is,  that  all  prefent  may  with  diligence  la- 
*'  bour  to  have  your  mjnds  truly  centred  and  hum- 
*'  bled  before  Go(;l,  to  know  a  being  fixed  on  that 
*'  foundation  which  only  ftandeth  fure,  that  in  a 
*'  time  of  outward  diftrefs,  which  perhaps  may 
"  come  in  your  day,  ye  may  find  a  place  of  fafety 
*'  and  refuge.'*  All  which  with  more  to  the  like 
eued,  was  delivered  in  great  humility  and  broken- 
liefs. 

At  a  week  day  meeting  at  the  fame  place,  the 
feventeenth  of  the  fecond  month  1757,  feveral  per- 
fons  by  unfeafonable  coming  in  had  interrupted  the 
quiet  of  the  meeting,  he  gave  a  fuitable  caution  in 
that  refped:,  in  gentle  winning  terms,  reminding 
thofe  met  of  the  awfulnefs  and  folemnity  which 
fhould  attend  us  when  we  approach  the  prefence  of 
him  who  is  moft  Holy;  and  in  what  reverence,  fear 
and  care,  we  ought  to  come  together,  not  forgetting 
the  hour  appointed;  and  then  exprelfed  nearly  as 
follows^ 

"  A  certain  fentence  has  been  prefented  to  the 
*'  view  of  my  mind,  which  feemed  to  contain  a 
*'  gentle  engaging  caution,  and  matter  of  inftructi- 
•'  on  to  me,  attended  with  fweetnefs;  which  was, 
<'  Work  zu/jik  it  is  day*     Friends,    this  is  our  day, 

wherein  we  ought  to  be  diligent  and  induftrious, 
^  in  the  light  of  the  day  we  may  fee,  and  undcr- 

"   Itand 


cc 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         189 

ftand  how  to  work,  and  what  to  do,  that  at  the 
conclufion  we  may  obtain  from  the  Mafter  of  the 
day  who  dwelleth  in  Light,  the  anfwer  of  well 
done;  for  the  night  will  come,  wherein  no  man 
can  work:  We  are  now  favoured  with  hberty  in 
this  our  day,  to  affemble  together  for  worfhip 
unmolefted;  and  my  hearty  defire  is,  that  we 
may  properly  improve  this  mercy;  for  the  time 
to  fome  of  us  may  come,  before  our  day  in  this 
hfe  is  clofed,  wherein  this  priyiledge,  may  in 
fome  meafure  be  taken  from  us;  fomething  in 
me  would  be  ready  to  fay,  The  Lord  forbid  that 
fhouid  be  the  cafe;  but  by  reafon  of  the  great 
declenfion  which  has  overfpread  the  church,  I 
hardly  dare  to  exped:  any  ether:  Oh  may  we 
therefore  be  careful  to  prize  the  mercy  of  God, 
and  endeavour  to  gain  an  inheritance  in  the  light, 
that  when  night  overtakes,  and  darknefs  as  to 
the  outward  may  hang  over  us,  we  may  be  fa- 
voured to  withdraw  into  the  fure  hiding  place, 
an.d  know  a  quiet  habitation!'^ 

CHAP.       VL 

Sundry  Viftts  to  Meetings  in  Fennfyhaiiia  and  Neiv-^ 
Jerfey. — Alfo  in  Maryland  ayid  Virginia. — Ku 
Apprehenfions  of  Duty  to  proceed  on  a  Vifit  to 
Barhadoes^  and  Reftgnation  thereto^  but  at  length 
became  mojl  eafy  to  decline  it. — "The  Settlement 
cf  Uzvchlan  Monthly-meeting  with  his  Epijile  to 
Friends   there, — Alfo  fome  weighty  Exprejjhns  itt- 

r    tered  in  the  time  of  his  Sicknefs  in  the  Tear  1 76 1 .  . 

AVING    fome  drawings  in  my  mind  to  vifit 

the  meetings  of  friends  in  the  Counties  of 

Philadelphia  and  Bucks,  being  alfo  under  an  ap- 
pointment of  the  yearly-meeting  to  join  with  fome 
Qthcrs  in  a,  vifit  to  the  mQnthly-meetings^  in"  order  to 

proceed 


I90        The    LIFE    ^nd    TRAVELS 

proceed  on  my  fervice,  I  acquainted  our  monthly- 
meeting  at  Nottingham,  with  whole  concurrence 
I  left  home  on  the  third  of  the  twelfth  month  1757, 
accompanied  by  a  near  relation,  and  attended  Dar- 
bv  meeting  on  firft  day,  wherein  tho'  life  and  the 
power  of  Truth  feemed  to  be  low,  I  thought  the 
humble  waiters  w^ere  encouraged  5  we  went  to  the 
evening  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  next  morning  at- 
tended the  meeting  of  miniflers  and  elders,  and  the 
day  following  a  meeting  at  the  Bank,  alfo  a  meet- 
ing for  fulfcrings,  and  on  fourth  day  returned  to 
Darby  to  their  monthly-meeting,  where  we  found 
friends  under  a  ftrait  about  difowning  one  among 
them,  who  denied  the  Divinity  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jefus  Chrift;  on  whom  they  had  beftowed 
much  labour  to  convince  him  of  his  error,  the  meet- 
ing ended  well;  the  company  of  the  friends  who 
attended  it  being  acceptable  and  of  lervice:  We 
were  next  day  at  Haverford  monthly-meeting  held  at 
Radnor,  where  the  lively  exercife  of  the  difcipline 
appeared  to  be  very  low,  yet  I  was  glad  I  was  there ; 
during  the  time  of  the  bufmefs,  feeling  a  concern 
on  my  mind  to  appoint  a  meeting  at  Haverford  to 
be  held  the  next  day,  I  propofed  it  for  concurrence, 
which  being  readily  agreed  to,  we  attended  there 
accordingly,  and  had  a  large  meeting  much  to 
fatisfa^Ition,  having  great  peace  in  obferving  the 
motion  of  truth  refpecling  this  appointment;  on 
the  following  day  accompanied  by  my  friend  Hugh 
Evans,  I  vifited  fome  ancient  friends,  who  by  rea- 
fon  of  old  age  and  indifpofition  could  not  get  out 
to  meetings,  wherein  I  was  favoured  with  that 
peace,  which  I  have  often  experienced  to  attend 
the  acceptable  work  of  vifuing  the  aRlided:  On 
ftrfl  day  after  a  fatisfaclory  meeting  at  Merrion,  I 
went  to  the  evening  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  in 
which  truth  favoured  with  a  degree  of  opennefs,  to 
the  inftruction  and  comfort   of   many:    On  third 

day 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         191 

day  afternoon,  accompanied  by  my  brother  W"'^ 
Brown,  went  forward  to  Richland  monthly-meeting 
held  on  the  fifth  day,  where  we  had  fome  clofe 
hard  work,  which  generally  happens  when  a  life- 
lefs  formal  fpirit  hath  the  prevalence  in  managing 
the  affairs  of  the  church,  for  want  of  feeling  after 
and  waiting  for  the  true  authority,  even  the  power 
of  God,  yet  we  were  glad  ttiat  we  were  there; 
from  thence  my  brother  returned  home,  the  reft 
of  us  going  to  an  appointed  meeting  at  Plumflead, 
"which  tho'  the  weather  wae  feverely  cold,  was  large 
and  comfortable,  in  the  fenfe  whereof  we  were 
thankful  to  the  author  of  all  good ;  the  meeting 
next  day  at  Buckingham  was  fmall  but  fatisfa£lory ; 
1  have  often  obferved,  that  the  feverity  of  the  wea- 
ther is  not  a  fufficient  excufe  for  the  Lord's  panting' 
children  to  negleft  public  worfhip,  which  is  a  duty 
incumbent  on  us  and  due  to  his  glorious  name;  at 
Wrightflown  meeting  the  next  day  the  mafler  of 
our  AfTemblies  was  pleafed  to  appear  in  an  eminent 
manner,  to  the  comfort  of  the  poor,  inftrudion  of 
the  enquirers,  rebuke  of  the  backfliders,  and  edifi- 
cation of  many;  for  which  the  facrifice  of  thankf- 
giving  and  praife  was  offered  to  him,  who  alone  is 
worthy  for  ever;  after  this  meeting  1  felt  the  value 
of  that  peace,  which  by  the  humble  is  better  felt 
than  exprefTed:  We  had  next  a  good  meeting  at 
Makefield,  at  w^hich  were  many  feeking  tender 
young  people  J  then  attended  the  Falls  preparative 
meeting,  which  was  fatisfaftory,  a  comfortable  de- 
gree of  unity  fubfifting  among  friends;  our  next 
meeting  was  at  Briflol,  in  which  after  a  dark  dif-» 
tlrefTmg  time  in  filence,  what  I  had  to  communicate 
was  introduced  by  a  quefhion  thus,  Are  you  found  /> 
faith  and pra^ice?  and  I  was  led  to  fet  forth,  "  that 
to  profefs  and  acknowledge  even  facred  Truths, 
without  a  life  of  felf-denial  with  an  anfwerable  ho- 
neft  condud,   was  no  way  fufficient;  that  being  a 

de^d 


192        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

dead  faith,  which  prbduceth  not  good  works  in  him 
who  faith  he  believeth;  fliewing  \Vhat  flumbhng 
blocks,  the  nominal  profeflbrs  are,  who  by  their 
example  plainly  manilcft,  that  they  are  not  poflef- 
fors  of  what  tiiey  protcfs  to  have,  and  are  the  great- 
eft  enemies  the  truth  hath,  which  1  was  doubtful 
was  the  cafe  with  fome  among  them;"  I  had  peace 
in  this  plain  dealing;  our  next  was  a  laborious 
meeting  at  Byberry,  yet  yielded  a  degree  of  the 
fame  peace;  a  friend  afterwards  told  me  that  the 
ftate  of  the  meeting  was  clearly  fpoken  to,  which 
I  relate  not  for  any  praife  to  man;  but  that  it  was 
an  additional  confirmation  of  the  Lord's  fufficiency 
to  his  own  work,  and  when  we  are  weak,  foolifh 
or  contemptible  in  our  own  efleem,  his  ftrength 
appears,  and  his  wifdom  infpires  with  true  know-- 
ledge,  v/hereby  he  magnifieth  himfelf;  we  went 
home  with  our  friend  James  Thornton  and  next  day 
to  Horfliam,  where  was  a  large  and  good  meeting, 
after  which  we  had  a  comfortable  time  in  the  family 
of  John  Cadwaladcr;  next  day  we  attended  the 
monthly-meeting  at  Abington  in  company  with  Sa- 
muel Eaftburn  and  Jofeph  White;  we  found  things 
low  here,  becaufe  of  a  want  of  that  ilrength  in 
which  (lands  the  authority  of  the  church;  it  is  only 
the  pure  wifdom  from  above,  that  preferves  friends 
in  peace,  meeknefs,  gcntlenefs,  and  unanimity  in 
the  diltribution  of  right  juilice  and  judgment  in 
the  church  of  Chrill.  ^ 

We  were  next  day  at  Gwynedd  monthly-meet- 
ing, which  was  a  precious  time  through  the  power 
of  that  facred  name,  which  is  as  ointment  poured 
forth,  the  favour  whereof  continued  thro'  both 
worlhip  and  difcipline,  in  which  the  faithful  were 
mutually  comforted;  we  from  thence  weV.t  to  Ellen 
Evans's,  and  had  an  evening-meeting,  fome  of  the 
neighbours  coming  in,    fevcrai  friends  were  much 

enlarged 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         193 

enlarged  in  counfel,'  and  the  opportunity  ended  in 
folemn  prayer  and  thankfgivlng. 

We  went  from  thence  to  Exeter  monthly-meet- 
ing, which  ended  to  fatisfaQion  in  the  main;  then 
home  with  our  friend  Ellis  Hugh,  where  Jofeph 
White  and  Sam^*  Eaftburn  left  us  to  return  home- 
wards; my  companion  and  I  proceeding  to  Reading, 
had  a  public  meeting  in  the  Court  houfe,  which  I 
thought  was  pretty  well  confidcring  the  company,, 
many  loofe  people  attending;  but  Truth  feemed  to 
come  Into  dominion  and  quieted  them,  that  the 
meeting  ended  in  a  degree  of  awful  fweetnefs. 

On  lirfl  day,  being  alfo  the  firfl  of  the  new-yeaif 
1758,  we  were  at  Maiden  Creek  meeting,  which 
altho*  a  low  time,  afforded  peace  and  comfort,  from 
a  profpe6l  that  there  were  among  the  youth  in  par- 
ticular, fome  true  branches  of  the  vine  of  Life, 
who  therefore  could  not  be  fatisfied  without  the 
hving  fap  from  the  Holy  root,  and  in  the  Lord's 
time  would  be  favoured  therewith,  if  there  was  a 
patient  waiting  for  that  fpringing  feafon;  we  re- 
turned to  Reading  that  evening,  to  a  meeting  held 
by  appointment  at  a  friend's  houfe  for  the  members 
of  our  fociety  in  that  town,  in  the  attendance  of 
which  I  found  peace ;  croffmg  the  river  Schuylkill 
we  were  next  day  at  Robinfon  or  the  Foreft  meet- 
ing, after  which  I  was  much  humbled  in  a  fenfe  of 
the  great  condefcention  and  mercy  of  the  Lord 
our  God,  who  was  pleafed  to  renew  the  reaches  of 
his  power  to  feveral,  who  had  many  years  made 
profefTion  of  the  pure  Truth,  and  yet  dwelt  in  that 
which  is  impure,  as  drinking  to  excefs  and  other 
evils,  fome  of  whom  I  knew,  but  did  not  know 
that  they  were  there  till  the  meeting  was  over;  the 
weak  were  ftrengthened  and  the  humble  feekers 
encouraged,  and  great  love  flowed  towards  the 
youth :  Returning  again  over  Schuylkill  we  went  to 

€  c  that 


194        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

tliat  called  Evans's  meeting,  Avhich  was  very  open 
for  doclrine,  fevcral  not  of  our  fociety  being  prefent: 
The  firft  fentences  that  appeared  in  my  view  were, 
7uciny  arc  called^  but  few  are  chofen^  attended  with 
fuch  weaknefs,  and  fuch  a  fenfe  of  my  own  fool- 
iflmefs  and  inability  for  handling  that  fubjed,  that 
I  was  afraid,  bccaufe  I  had  a  fecret  apprehenfion 
that  fome  would  incline  to  make  an  advantage 
of  thofe  words,  but  fe%u  are  chofen^  in  applying  them 
to  ftrengthen  themfelves  in  the  corrupt  manner  in 
which  they  hold  eledion;  but  it  appeared  that  the 
w^ords,  all  have  7iot  obeyed^  was  the  reafon  why  fo 
few  are  chofen:  My  mouth  was  opened  in  fear, 
even  to  trembling,  yet  with  a  fecret  hope  and  con- 
fidence that  the  Lord  would  be  mouth  and  wifdom, 
with  defires  that  he  would  bind  my  attention  to  his 
own  immediate  inflru6lion,  that  the  language  of 
his  Spirit  might  be  only  uttered  by  me,  and  he  was 
pleafed  to  magnify  his  own  Truth  in  the  opening 
of  thefe  paiTages:  I  give  this  hint,  that  they  who 
are  concerned  in  the  miniflry  may  humbly  trufl  in 
God,  and  not  lean  to  their  fears,  knowledge,  ex- 
perience or  wifdom,  in  opening  the  myfteries  of  the 
Gofpel,  but  confide  in  the  key  of  David,  which 
when  it  opens  none  can  fliut.  Next  day  we  were 
at  Providence  or  Perkiomin  meeting,  which  tho' 
poor,  and  truth  low,  peace  was  afterwards  meafu- 
rably  enjoyed,  from  an  evidence  of  having  been 
honefl  according  to  the  ability  given;  and  the  day 
following  at  Plymouth,  faithful  friends  were  com- 
forted ^n  the  gracious  condefcention  of  our  holy 
head,  who  was  pleafed  to  favour  with  the  abound- 
ings  of  the  lite  and  love  of  Truth;  we  then  re- 
turned to  Philadelphia  with  thankful  hearts  for  the 
evidence  of  peace. 

My  companion  returning  home,  I  went  in  com- 
pany with  my  brother  on  firfl:  day  morning  to  Frank- 
fort,   having  felt  an  engagement  for  a  confiderable 

time 


QF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         195 

time  to  vifit  that  meeting ;  a  fenfe  of  the  declenfion 
of  friends  in  this  place,  both  in  refpe^  to  numbers 
and  the  life  of  religion,  was  caufe  of  heavinefs  of 
heart,  but  having  performed  my  vifit  in  faithful- 
nefs  according  to  ability,  returned  with  a  degree  of 
peace  to  the  evening  meeting  in  the  city,  v/hich 
was  comfortable,  flaying  there  until  the  fifth  day  of 
the  week,  in  which  time  I  attended  the  ufual  meet- 
ings, one  with  the  Negroes  much  to  fatisfaclion, 
and  alfo  the  meeting  foj  fuffe rings  I  got  fafe  home 
on  feventh  day  the  fourteenth  of  the  firft  month, 
having  travelled  in  this  journey  about  four  hundred 
and  ten  miles. 

On  the  twenty-fecond  of  the  fecond  month,  I 
again  left  home  in  order  to  attend  the  quarterly^ 
meeting  at  Burlington,  and  fome  particular  meet- 
ings in  New-Jeriey,  as  well  on  account  of  the  year- 
ly-meeting's appointment,  as  my  own  fenfe  of  duty, 
of  which  I  had  the  approbation  of  our  monthly*- 
meeting  figniiied  by  a  minute;  in  my  way  I  at- 
tended the  monthly-meeting  in  Philadelphia  with 
fome  degree  of  fatisfadion ;  then  taking  Chefter  or 
Adam's  meeting  in  New-Jerfey,  reached  Burling- 
ton on  firfl  day  evening,  the  next  day  being  the 
quarterly-meeting,  at  which  with  William  Home 
and  my  brother  W""*  Brown  I  had  fome  lervice; 
after  flaying  the  youth's  meeting,  they  left  me  and 
1  went  to  a  meeting  on  fourth  day  at  a  School-houfe, 
where  feveral  friends  met,  alfo  divers  others  who 
perhaps  had  not  been  at  any  place  of  worfhip  for 
fometime,  and  were  eafy  about  religion,  to  whom 
^it  became  my  concern  to  fhew  how  difagreeable  and 
loathfome  that  flate  was,  from  Rev.  iii.  15.  I  know 
thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot ;  fo  then^ 
becaufe  thou  art  lukewarm^  and  neither  cold  nor  hot, 
J  will  fpue  thee  out  of  my  mouth,'^  It  opened  to  me 
that  a  lukewarm  condition,  to  hold  a  profefTion  of 
religion  fo  as  to  take  it  ill, not  to  be  thought  a  chrif- 

tian. 


196         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

tian,  but  at  the  fame  time  to  remain  eafy  and  not 
in  earneft  to  experience  the  Hfe,  virtue,  and  power 
of  chriflianity;  not  fo  cold  as  to  forget  the  name, 
nor  fo  hot  or  zealous  as  to  witnefs  the  hfe  of  true 
religion,  was  very  difplcafmg  to  the  Almighty.  A 
good  degree  of  power  attended  the  opening,  and 
in  treating  on  that  pafl'age,  with  much  love  to  fuclj 
lukewarm  profelTors,  which  reached  and  tendered 
feveral  beyond  expedation ;  but  no  praife  to  man, 
tlio'  he  may  will  or  run,  but  to  God  who  flieweth 
mercy. 

At  Cheflerfield  monthly-meeting  my  friend  John 
Woolman  met  me  the  next  day;  a  raw  company 
attending  on  account  of  a  propolal  or  two  for  mar- 
riage, which  I  fuppofe  they  expelled  to  be  there 
prefented ;  it  was  a  time  fomewhat  low  and  diftrefs- 
ing:  The  advice  of  the  yearly- meeting  not  being 
here  enough  obferved,  v/hich  is  againll  allowing 
fuch  who  are  not  members  of  our  fociety  to  fit  in 
our  meetings  for  difcipline,  unlefs  they  are  nearly 
related  to  the  parties  concerned,  of  which  that 
meeting  was  modeftly  reminded ;  I  v/as  alfo  grieved 
that  matters  were  introduced  too  much  at  the  judg- 
ment or  pleafure  of  individuals,  by  reafon  that  they 
are  not  in  the  praftice  of  holding  prepaf*ative  meet- 
ings, the  fervice  of  which,  was  particularly  recom- 
mended to  their  confideration;  1  had  fome  reward 
of  peace  in  having  attended  this  meeting:  We  were 
next  at  a  meeting  in  Trenton  with  a  lew  friends 
whom  the  fpirit  of  the  world  (I  thought)  had  much 
laid  wafle;  there  feemed  more  oppennefs  towards 
a  few  of  other  focieties  prefent,  fome  of  whom 
were  tendered  by  Truth's  teflimony,  which  feemed 
to  reach  the  witnefs  in  them;  at  Bordentown  meet- 
ing next  day,  many  were  made  thankiul,  the  Di- 
vine prefence  being  felt  among  us;  from  hence  J. 
Woolman  returned  home,  and  John  Sykes  accom- 
panied me  to  Uppcr-Springfieidj  where  the  meet- 
ing 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         197 

ing  was  large,  and  through  the  Lord's  mercy,  open 
and  fatisia<!?cory,  the  teitunony  of  Truth  fiovving  in 
his  Iqve  towards  the  youth,  many  were  tendered 
thereby,  the  faithful  uere  encouraged  and  the  negli- 
gent warned;  after  which  I  v4  ent  to  Burlington  to 
attend  that  monthly-meeting,  then  to  the  burial  of 
Margaret  Butcher  at  Manslitld,  which  was  a  labo- 
rious painful  meeting  compofcd  of  a  mixed  multi- 
tude, yet  fomething  of  an  evidence  attended  truth's 
teflimony,  fo  that  the  meeting  ended  with  folidity; 
from  thence  I  ^ent  to  Peter  Harvey's  and  was  thank- 
ful for  the  enjoyment  of  a  peaceful  quiet  mind,  tho' 
poor;  next  day  was  at  Old-Springfield  meeting, 
which  was  flow  and  late  in  gathering,  dull  and 
heavy  in  fitting,  as  will  be  the  cafe,  when  and 
wherefoever  the  life  and  power  of  religion  is  want- 
ing, or  not  carefully  fought  after  and  waited  for,  by 
thofe  who  profefs  it,  which  was  obferved  to  them 
in  the  love  of  truth,  and  in  the  fimplicity  and  plain- 
nefs  thereof,  fo  that  I  left  this  meeting  with  a  heavy 
heart,  not  from  a  fenfe  of  any  omiilion  of  duty  on 
my  part;  but  led  they  flrould  too  foon  forget  what 
manner  of  perfons  they  faw  themfelves  to  be  in  the 
Light,  that  difcovers  and  anfwers  the  witnefs,  as 
face  anfwers  face  in  a  glafs.  Then  taking  meetings 
at  Mountholly,  Rancocus,  and  vifiting  the  widow 
of  Peter  Andrews,  I  was  at  a  i^arge  meeting  at 
Evefham  on  firfh  day  following;  but  the  expedati- 
ons  of  the  people  being  much  outward,  occafioned 
a  painful  deep  waiting  a  confiderable  time,  or  at 
lead  I  thought  fo,  when  at  length  I  felt  fome  pref- 
fure  on  my  mind  to  fland  up,  which  as  I  followed 
carefully.  Truth  opened  into  the  date  of  the  meeting 
to  my  admiration,  that  I  was  enabled  therein  with 
an  innocent  boldnefs  to  attend  thereto  in  fpeaking, 
which  yielded  me  great  peace  after  the  meeting, 
and  I  was  thankful  for  that  opportunity.  Next  day 
I  attended  Haddonfield  monthly-meeting,  at  which 

were 


198         The    LIFE   and    TRAVELS 

were  Samuel  Nottingham  and  William  Home, 
whofe  company  was  comfortable  and  of  advantage 
to  the  meeting.  I  then  vifited  the  meetings  at 
Pilefgrove,  AUoways  Creek,  Greenwich,  lower  Al- 
lowavs  Creek,  Salem,  and  one  at  Raccoon  Creek, 
to  which  many  fober  people  came  not  profcfling 
with  us,  alfo  a  large,  and  I  believe  to  fome  a  fatif- 
fa6:ory  meeting  at  Woodberry,  the  ftate  whereof 
opened  pretty  clearly,  the  humble  being  inflrufted, 
but  I  was  fenfiblc  of  an  oppofition  here  to  fome 
part  of  what  I  had  to  deliver  to  a  felf-righteous 
flate,  yet  through  the  mercy  of  our  gracious  Lord, 
I  left  this  meeting  with  an  evidence  of  peace,  and 
an  affectionate  heart  yearning  towards  them,  then 
went  to  Haddonneld  to  attend  the  quarterly-meet- 
inor  for  Glouceller  and  Salem  Counties,  and  from 
thence  to  the  General  Spring-meeting  at  Philadel- 
phia, after  which  I  returned  home,  having  been 
out  five  weeks  and  three  days. 

After  this  journey  I  did  not  go  much  abroad  for 
more  than  a  year,  except  to  attend  our  quarterly 
meeting,  and  the  yearly  and  general  Spring-meet- 
ing at  Philadelphia. 

In  the  year  1759,  I  had  fome  drawings  in  my 
mind  to  vifit  a  few  meetings  in  Maryland  and  Vir- 
ginia, alfo  the  yearly-meeting  at  Weft-River;  in 
which  having  the  concurrence  of  our  monthly- 
meeting,  1  left  home  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  the 
fifth  month  and  next  day  was  at  Gunpowder  meet^ 
meeting;  then  at  Elkridge  with  a  few  friends  and 
divers  not  profelTmg  with  us,  amongft  whom  there 
■was  an  opennefs  to  hear  the  tcftimony  of  Truth  de- 
clared; but  for  want  of  a  fteady  walking  in  the 
profeffors  thereof,  it  feems  in  a  great  meafure  laid 
wafte;  that  night  1  lodged  at  the  houfe  of  a  kind 
man,  but  have  to  remark  that  natural  affability  in 
any  one,  unlefs  it  is  fweetcned  by  the  baptifm  of 
the  Spirit  of  Truth,  is  of  little  value  j  on  fifth  day 

I  was 


0^   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        199 

I  was  at  a  new-meeting  houfe  at  Indian  Spring  with 
a  few  friends,  fome  of  whom  I  fear,  fcarcely  know 
what  they  profefs,  the  next  had  a  meeting  at  Sa- 
muel Plummer's  houfe  at  Patuxent  to  faiistadion, 
and  on  feventh  day  the  yearly-meeting  at  Wefl- 
River  began,  which  held  until  fourth  day  following, 
which  was  in  the  main  the  moll  open  and  fatisfafto- 
ry  meeting  I  was  ever  at  in  that  place ;  I  thought  a 
difpofition  rather  prevailed  among  the  younger  fort, 
to  attend  to  the  difcipline  more  clofely  than  in  times 
paft.  Then  taking  a  meeting  at  Sandy  Spring,  I 
proceeded  to  Fairfax,  being  about  forty  miles,  where 
I  had  a  comfortable  meeting  on  firil  day,  for  which 
the  hearts  of  many  were  made  thankful  to  the  au- 
thor of  all  good,  the  fame  day  we  had  alfo  a  fatif- 
fa^tory  opportunity  in  Mahlo.n  Janney's  family,  his 
mother  being  inditpofed,  and  the  next  day  attended 
Monaquafy  meeting  in  Maryland,  where  truth  isr 
at  a  low  ebb,  through  the  conduct  of  fome  un- 
faithful profeiTors;  our  next  was  a  precious  meeting 
•with  a  few  fmcere  friends  at  Bufh  Creek,  that  even- 
ing I  went  to  William  Farquar's,  having  a  meeting 
at  Pipe  Creek  next  day,  which  was  pretty  open, 
and  fatisfa£lory  and  one  the  day  following  at  Pe- 
tapfco  Foreft  amongfl  a  withered  people.  Alas!  to 
profefs  the  truth  and  not  pofl'efs  it  in  fanclification 
of  fpirit,  makes  little  meetings  feel  defoiate ;  from 
thence  I  returned  home  to  our  monthly- meeting, 
being  abfent  nineteen  days  and  rode  near  three 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  Samuel  England  being  my 
companion. 

In  this  year  I  Was  alfo  engaged  with  my  friend 
John  Woolman  in  vifiting  fome  aftive  members  of 
our  fociety,  who  held  flaves,  firft  in  the  city  of* 
Philadelphia,  and  in  other  places;  alfo  in  New- 
Jerfey,  in  which  fervice  we  were  enabled  to  go 
through  fome  heavy  labours,  and  were  favoured 
with  peace  J    Divine    Love  la  a  tender  fympathy 

pre^ 


coo        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

prevailing  at  times,    with  a  hope  that  thefe  endea» 
vours  would  not  be  in  vain. 

In  the  fecond  month  1760,  I  acquainted  our 
monthly-meeting,  that  in  order  to  proceed  in  per- 
forming the  appointment  of  the  yearly-meeting, 
having  alfo  a  draught  in  my  own  mind,  I  had  an 
inclination  to  vifit  fome  meetings  up  the  river  Dela- 
ware, particularly  the  monthly- meeting  of  King- 
uood  in  New-Jeriey,  with  which  having  the  appro- 
bation ot  friends,  I  fet  out  from  home  on  the 
twenty-fixth  of  the  fifth  month  following,  and  reach- 
ed the  Bank  meeting  in  Philadelphia  the  next  day; 
from  thence  proceeded  to  the  quarterly-meeting  tor 
Bucks  County  held  at  Buckingham,  where  tho' 
things  were  low,  the  afiairs  of  the  church  were 
tranfacted  in  a  good  drgree  of  amity  and  peace;  it 
was  a  large  meeting,  there  being  a  great  appearance 
of  young  people,  fome  very  hopeful,  who  in  the 
love  of  truth  were  exhorted  to  come  up  in  their 
places,  by  learning  difcipline  of  the  author  thereof, 
viz.  the  Spirit  of  Truths  and  they  were  cautioned 
againft  that  very  unbecoming  and  hurtful  pradice, 
tho'  too  common,  of  going  out  after  worlliip,  and 
{landing  without  in  companies  talking  when  they 
fhould  keep  their  places  in  the  meeting,  which 
ihould  quietly  and  folidly  proceed  on  the  bufmefs 
coming  before  it;  heavenly  love  was  felt  by  the 
tender  in  fpirit,  which  I  hope  will  be  remembered 
by  many;  the  next  day  the  general  or  youth's-meet- 
ing  was  large,  open  and  latisfadory  in  the  main; 
for  which  the  name  of  the  Lord  was  praifed.  Next 
day  1  fpent  in  vifiting  a  widow,  alfo  other  aged  and 
infirm  friends,  in  the  performance  of  which  duty 
[  had  fcjme  fatisfaclion,  and  on  firit  day  was  at 
Phnnflcad  meeting,  which  was  large  and  very  com- 
fortable, the  divine  prefence  being  felt,  the  power 
of  Truth  prevailed  to  the  tendering  of  many;  but 
fuch  favour  being  not  of  him  that  wilieth  or  run- 

neth. 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        201 

jieth,  but  of  God  that  iheweth  mercy,  to  hiai  be- 
longeth  the  praife  of  all,  who  is  worthly  for  ever^ 
In  the  evenkig  I  attended  a  meeting  at  a  School- 
houfe  near  Samuel  Eaftburn's,  in  which  I  had  fome 
particular  fervice,  the  flates  of  many  prefent  being 
very  clearly  opened  before  them  in  the  love  of  the 
Golpel,  which  made  deep  imprellion  on  fome  who 
were  much  broken,  and  1  believe  it  would  be  as 
dew  on  their  hearts,  if  they  would  remain  enough 
m  the  valley  of  humility. 

I  was  the  next  day  at  Buckingham  monthly* 
meeting,  which  in  the  time  of  bufmefs  fufFered 
much  by  the  prevalence  of  a  talkative  noify  fpirit, 
which  mightily  darkens  counfel  in  thofe  who  give 
way  to  it,  and  leads  into  doubtful  and  trifling  dif- 
putations ;  fo  that  1  left  that  meeting  with  pain  of 
heart,  in  a  fenfe  that  the  time  had  been  fo  loil  that 
feveral  weighty  matters  could  not  be  brought  under 
confideration  to  advantage,  which  were  therefore 
continued  until  the  next  month. 

Wrightftown  monthly-meetmg  on  third  day  was 
more  fatisfadory,  the  fpirit  for  difcipline  rather 
Teviving,  and  I  hope  a  defire  among  the  youth  at 
lead  for  an  improvement;  it  too  frequently  is  the 
cafe,  that  fome  of  the  elderly  fort  are  fo  bigotted 
to  their  old  forms  and  cuftoms,  that  they  will  fcarce- 
ly  trouble  themfelves  to  examine  whether  thefe  cuf- 
toms  are  agreeable  to  the  teftimony  of  Truthj  or 
whether  through  inattention  they  have  not  fwerved 
and  fallen  fhort  in  various  matters  that  now  occafion 
a  difficulty  in  the  churches,  which  difficulties  muft 
be  laboured  under  for  a  feafon  by  the  baptized 
members,  who  neverthelefs,  as  they  keep  their 
places  will  grow  ftronger. 

Accompanied  by  my  friend  Thomas  Rofs  I  at- 
tended the  Falls  monthly-meeting,  wherein  I  was 
comiorted  from  a  fenfe  that  a  tender  people  were 
lamong  them,  tho'  they  felt  a  time  of  dearth,  whoni 

D  d  th9 


^oi        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

the  Lord  would  in  his  own  time  water  as  his  pecu- 
liar heritage;  but  this  comfort  was  heavily  ballafted 
from  a  fecret  fear  attending  me,  that  there  were 
among  them  lome,  who  like  the  heath  in  the  defert, 
know  not  when  good  cometh,  fuch  who  were  eafy 
in  a  dead  form,  and  contented  with  a  name,  ne- 
gle(!:l:ing  to  wait  for  that  transforming  power,  which 
would  renew  into  the  image  and  lite  of  the  Son  of 
God ;  to  whom  in  the  love,  and  plainnefs  of  the 
Gofpel,  I  was  conflrained  to  clear  myfelf;  the  meet- 
ing for  difcipline  was  pretty  open  and  ended  in  a 
good  degree  pf  fweetnels;  we  went  home  with  the 
wife  of  Jofeph  White,  who  was  then  on  a  religious 
vifit  to  friends  in  Europe,  and  had  a  comfortable 
feafon  in  the  family  with  the  children,  Ihe  appear- 
ing to  be  refigned  in  the  abfence  of  her  huiband, 
her  fpiirit  being  fweetened  with  the  truth  in  inno- 
cent quietude. 

At  Middktown  monthly-meeting  the  next  day 
truth  feemed  to  be  low,  but  we  had  fome  fervice  in 
the  difcipline,  that  I  came  away  with  peace,  and  the 
day  following  in  company  with  Jofhua  Ely  went  to 
Jacob  Birdfhars  in  Amwell  townlhip  New-Jerfey,and 
had  a  meeting  in  his  barn,  which  (being  a  wet  time) 
was  fmall;  there  are  few  here  who  profefs  with  us, 
fome  of  whom  feem  to  have  nothing  more  than  the 
name.  Next  morning  we  called  at  the  houfe  of  an 
old  profeiTor,  he  and  his  wife  were  both  ancient 
but  full  of  talk;  I  felt  a  defire  to  vifit  them,  and 
had  a  full  time  to  clear  myfelf  in  a  clofe  and  plain 
manner,  tho'  in  love  to  them.  After  which  going 
to  Kingwood  or  Btthlehem  attended  two  meetings 
there  on  fjrll  day,  when  truth  favoured  in  opening 
the  dates  of  the  people  in  mercy  to  many,  which 
may  be  of  advantage  if  rightly  remembered;  then 
proceeding  to  the  Drowned-Iands  fo  called,  had 
there  a  meeting  with  a  few  profcfforc  who  feemed 
too  much  withered,  tlien  taking  another  at  Paulin's 

Kiln 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         203 

Kiln  to  pretty  good  fatisfadion,  returned  to  King- 
wood  monthly-meeting  then  held  at  Hard  wick; 
feveral  hopeful  young  people  belong  thereto,  the 
•  meeting  was  comfortable,  friends  rejoicing  in  the 
company  one  of  another,  and  in  the  Lord  for  his 
merciful  regard ;  next  day  I  returned  to  Bethlehem, 
and  from  thence  to  Gwynedd  meeting  on  firft  day, 
after  which  I  rode  to  Uwchlan,  about  twenty-eight 
miles,  from  thence  home,  where  1  found  all  well, 
having  been  abfent  three  weeks  and  rode  about 
four  hundred  and  fixteen  miles  in  this  journey. 

Having  a  draught  of  love  and  a  motion  therein 
to  vifit  the  monthly  and  particular  meetings  within 
our  own  quarter,  on  the  Weft  fide  of  vSufquehanna 
river,  with  the  concurrence  of  our  monthly-meeting 
on  that  occafion,  I  fet  out  from  home  on  the  feven- 
teenth  of  the  tenth  month  in  company  with  my 
brother-in-law  James  Brown,  who  likewife  had  the 
approbation  of  Goflien  moathly-meeting  for  this 
purpofe;  we  vifited  the  meetings  at  Pipe  Creek, 
Bufli  Creek  and  Monaquafy  in  Maryland,  in  the 
firft  of  which  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  favour  in 
opening  the  ftate  of  friends  to  the  tendering  the 
hearts  of  many;  the  other  was  fatisfaclory,  and  the 
laft  feemed  to  be  a  renewed  vifitation  to  a  raw 
declining  people,  feveral  of  whom  were  tendered 
through  the  gracious  long-fufFering  of  Infinite  Good- 
nefs ;  we  were  next  at  the  preparative  meeting  at 
Fairfax  in  Virginia;  then  at  Goofe  Creek,  where- 
in trutTi  owned  our  fervice  to  the  comfort  of  the 
faithful ;  we  then  attended  the  meeting  of  minifters 
and  elders,  alfo  the  monthly-meeting  at  Fairfax,  like- 
Vife  the  firft  day  meeting  there,  and  one  that  even- 
ing in  Francis  Hague's  houfe,  whofe  wife  w^as  indif- 
poied;  feveral  diforderly  walkers  being  prefent,  the 
Lord  was  pleafed  to  open,  and  give  ability  to  fpeak 
to  their  ftates  in  a  meafure  of  his  heart  tendering 
lovcj  to  the  re^iching  the  witnefs  in  fome;  after  this 

return- 


204        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

returning  to  the  widow  Janney's,  we  had  a  precli 
ous  opportunity  with  her  and  children  to  our  mutu- 
al fiuisfadion. 

Our  next  meeting  was  at  Potts's  near  the  South- 
mountain,  which  was  open  for  doctrine,  feveral  of 
other  religious  profefljons  attending,  who  appeared 
loving  and  well  fatisfied;  then  at  Crooked-run,  near 
the  North-branch  of  Shanandoa-river,  in  company 
wnth^  feveral  other  triends  from  Pennfylvania,  iome 
of  us  being  a  committee  appointed  by  our  quarter- 
Iv- meeting,  the  friends  living  here  having  rcquelted 
to  have   a  meeting  fettled  among  them;  the  oppor- 
tunity was  to  fome  fativ< faction,    there  being  fome 
Younc:   people   v^ho  I   hope   v\ ill  grow  in  the  truth, 
tho'   fome  of  thofe   who  are  elderly  appear  too  fu- 
perficial.     From  hence   we  went  to  Hopewell  pre- 
parative meeting,    alfo   to  a  fmall  meeting  over  the 
mountain  near  Jelfe  Pugh's;    then  we  attended  a 
felect   meeting  at  Hopewell,   and  at  the  fame  place, 
on  firil  day,  which  was  large  and  folid,  many  there- 
in being  much  tendered,  to  the  praife  of  the  Lord 
whofe  mercy  endureth  for  ever;  in  the  evening  we 
had  alfo  a  fatisfa^lory  meeting  at  the  widow  Lup- 
ton's  near  Winchefter.  Next  day  we  were  at  Llope-* 
well  monthly-meeting,  where  we  found  confiderable 
veaknefs,    as  to  the  pradicc  of  the  difcipline,  on 
which  account  we  had  fome  labour  to  the  comfort 
or  the  well-minded;  on  our  return  we  had  meetings 
at  Monallan,  Huntington,  Warrington,  and  New- 
berry in  York  County  Pennfylvania,  and  a  feafona- 
ble  opportunity   with   friends   in    Yorktovn,    from 
whence  1  proceeded  home  with  a  thankful  mind, 
haviuf'-  travelled  about  four  hundred  miles  in  this 

o 

journey. 

In  the  fpring  of  the  year  1761,  having  an  en- 
gagement on  my  mind  to  vifit  Barbadoe:  and  fome 
of  the  adjacent  Iflands,  I  piopofed  the  fame  to  my 
brethren  at  home  for  their  weighty  confideration 

before 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         205 

before  I  afked  for  their  certificate,  who  after  a  time 
expreffed  their  unity  therewith,  and  gave  me  a  cer- 
tificate, to  which  the  quarterly -meeting  fignified 
their  approbation;  at  our  next  yearly  meeting  I  laid 
my  concern  before  the  minillers  and  elders  when 
for  any  thing  that  appeared,  I  had  their  unity  and 
prayers ;  I  came  home  intending  to  proceed  before 
the  winter  fat  in,  and  attended  our  general  meeting 
at  Nottingham  in  the  tenth  month,  but  in  a  few 
days  after  was  taken  ill  uith  a  fever,  which  with 
bodily  pain  and  exercife  of  mind  reduced  me  to  a  ve- 
ry low  and  weak  ifate;  *  but  the  Lord  was  pleafed 
to  give  me  inward  [irength,  iniluencing  my  mind 
with  love  to  all  men,  and  great  love  to  the  mem- 
bers of  our  religious  fociety,  the  ftate  whereof  I 
faw  in  a  clear  manner,  and  1  fo  far  recovered  as  to 
attend  our  quarterly-meeting  at  London  Grove  in 
the  eleventh  month,  at  which  I  had  an  opportunity 
to  clear  myfelf  to  my  humble  admiration,  and  was 
inwardly  comforted:  Soon  after  which  (my  con- 
cern for  going  to  Barbadoes  continuing,)  I  went 
to  Philadelphia  to  inquire  for  a  pafTage,  when  my 
friends  informed  me  of  five  veffels,  three  of  which 
were  near  ready  to  fail;  but  underllanding  that  all 
of  them  were  prepared  with  guns  for  defence,  I 
felt  a  fecret  excercife  on  my  mind,  fo  that  I  could 
not  go  to  fee  any  of  them ;  but  kept  quiet  from 
fixth  day  evening^  until  fecond  day  morning,  when 
I  went  to  the  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders, 
where  I  had  a  fiiigular  freedom  to  let  friends  know, 
''  That  I  came  to  town  in  order  to  take  my  pafTage 
for  Barbadoes,  but  found  myfelf  not  at  liberty  to 
go  in  any  of  thofe  veiTels,  becaufe  they  carried 
arms  for  defence;  for  as  my  motive  in  going,  was 
to  publifli  tbe  Glad-'iidings  of  the  Go/pel^  which  teach- 
eth  love  to  all  men^  I  could  not  go  with  thofe  who 
were  prepared  to  deflroy  men,  whom  Chrifl  Jefus 
«jiur  Lord  and  Mafter  laid  down  his  life  to  fave  and 
%  §€c  page  205.  deliver 


xo6         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

deliver  from  that  fpirit  in  which  wars  and  fightings 
fland."  I  further  added,  "  If  I  had  a  concern  to 
vifit  in  gofpel  love,  thofe  now  living  at  Pittfburgh 
or  Fort  Duquefne,  do  you  think  it  would  become 
me  to  go  along  with  a  band  of  foldiers,  as  if  I 
•u'anted  the  arm  of  iiefh  to  guard  me ;  would  it  not 
be  more  becoming  to  go  with  a  few  fimple  unarm- 
ed men?  I  now  tenderly  defire  your  fympathy  and 
advice."  One  honeil  friend  faid,  "  Keep  to  the 
tender  fcruple  in  thy  own  m.ind,  for  it  rejoices  me  to 
hear  it;  and  feveral  faid,  they  believed  it  would  be 
bed  for  me  lo  mind  my  own  freedom."  I  then 
begged  that  friends  would  confider  weightily,  whe- 
ther it  was  right  for  any  profefTing  with  us,  to  be 
owners  or  part  owners,  charterers,  freighters,  or 
infurers  of  fuch  veffels  that  a  friend  could  not  be 
free  to  go  palfenger  in  on  a  gofpel  meflage:  And  as 
I  returned  to  my  lodgings,  I  felt  fo  much  peace  of 
mind  in  thus  bearing  my  teftimony,  that  I  thought 
if  all  my  concern  ended  therein,  it  was  worth  ail 
my  trouble,  tho'  at  that  time  I  did  not  think  it 
would,  yet  was  quite  eafy  to  return  home  and  wait 
until  my  waV  appeared  more  open ;  and  as  my  con- 
cern went  off  in  this  manner,  I  have  been  fmce  led 
to  confider,  that  1  could  not  have  borne  that  telli- 
mony  fo  fully  and  feelingly,  if  i  had  not  been  thus 
reilrained.  The  luiJcUm  and  judgments  of  the  Lord 
are  iinfearchable^  and  his  ways  pajl  finding  out^  and 
happy  are  they  luho  move  at  his  command  and  ftand 
ftedfafi  in  his  counfel. 

Our  worthy  friends  John  Stcphenfon,  Robert 
Proud,  Hannah  Harris  and  Elizabeth  WiJkinfon  of 
Great  Britain  being  in  this  country  on  a  religious 
vifit,  attended  our  yearly-meeting  in  Philadelphia 
this  year,  which  was  large  and  favoured  with  hum- 
bling goodnefs,  and  in  a  fenfe  of  the  Divine  prefence 
that  meeting  ended  very  folidly;  the  fervices  of 
thefe  friends,  I  think,  have  been  great  among  us  in 

this 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN,         loy 

this  Land,  both  in  their  public  miniftry,  alfo  in  the 
difcipline  of  the  church,  and  the  remembrance 
thereof  is  precious  I  believe  to  many  whom  the 
Lord  is  preparing  for  his  work. 
.  After  this  1  fpent  a  confiderable  time  at  and  near 
home,  except  attending  the  quarterly,  yearly-meet- 
tings,  and  the  general  fpring-meetings  as  they  came 
in  courfe,  in  the  mean  time  being  careful  to  fre- 
quent the  meeting  I  belonged  to. 

A  new  monthly-meeting  being  allowed  to  be 
eftablifhed  at  Uwchlan  in  Chelter  County,  it  drofe 
in  my  mind  to  falute  friends  there  with  an  Epiftle, 
a  copy  whereof  I  fent  to  their  firfl:  meeting  in  the 
firfl:  month  1763,  being  as  follows. 

"  Dear  Friends, 

IN  the  gentle  fprlnging  up  of  Gofpel  love  and  fel- 
lowfliip  I  falute  you  my  dear  brethren  and  fillers, 
and  hereby  let  you  know,  that  it  is  my  fervent  de- 
fire  and  prayer  that  you  may  individually  attend  to 
the  gift  of  God  in  your  own  hearts,  and  therein 
wait  for  the  arifmg  of  his  pure  life  and  power,  that 
therein  and  thereby  only,  the  affairs  of  the  church 
may  be  tranfacled  to  the  honour  of  Truth  and  your 
own  peace  and  fafety ;  for  to  fpeak  in  the  church 
to  the  bufmefs  and  affairs  of  truth,  by  the  will, 
wifdom,  and  power  of  man,  (however  knowing  he 
thinks  himfelf)  will  lead  into  it's  own  nature,  and 
in  the  end  minifler  ffrife  and  contention,  and  break 
the  unity  of  the  one  fpirit  wherein  the  peace  of  the 
^church  ftands.  Wherefore  I  befeech  you  beware 
thereof,  and  as  I  know  there  are  among  you  fuch 
whom  the  Lord  by  his  fpirit  and  the  gentle  operati- 
on of  his  power,  is  preparing  for  his  own  work; 
mind  your  calling  in  deep  humility  and  holy  atten- 
tion of  foul;  for  in  your  obedience  only,  will  you 
be  eleded  and  chofen  to  the  work  whereunto  he 

hath 


2o8        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

hath  called  you :  So  fiiall  you  be  made  fkilful  watch* 
men  and  watchwomen,  placed  on  the  walls  of  Zion 
to  dlfcover  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  in  whatfo- 
ever  fubtle  appearance,  and  enabled  to  give  warn- 
ing thereof  to  others.  May  each  of  you  fland  up- 
right in  your  own  lots  in  the  regeneration,  waiting 
for  the  pouring  forth  of  the  fpirit  and  anointing  of 
of  the  Holy  Ghoil,  by  the  renewing  whereof,  a 
true  qualification  is  given  in  the  iniluence  of  the 
love  of  the  Father,  rightly  to  overfee  the  flock  and 
family  of  our  God,  amongfl:  whom  there  are  fome 
plants  with  you  worthy  of  your  care." 

''  I  fliould  have  been  giad  to  have  fat  with  you, 
in  your  monthly-meeting,  from  the  fenfe  of  that 
love  which  I  now  rcnewedly  feel  to  fpring  and  flow 
towards  you,  but  cannot  well  leave  home,  I  there- 
fore at  this  time,  in  the  pure  refrefliing  fliream 
thereof  again  falute  you,  and  remain  your  friend 
and  brother, 

John  Churchman.'* 

Eaft  Nottingham, 
iji  MQnth\th,   l'j6s» 


In  the  time  of  bis  iiluefs  in  the  year  1761,  as  men- 
tioned in  page  205,  he  uttered  divers  iv eighty  exprejft- 
ons^  fome  of  which  ivere  committed  to  writing  by  a 
friend  who  was  prefcnt^  and  being  well  worthy  to 
be  further  preferved  are  here  infer ted^  viz. 

In  this  ficknefs  he  was  reduced  very  low,  and 
fometimes  faid  it  looked  unlikely  that  he  fliould  re- 
cover, in  the  forepart  thereof  he  often  mentioned 
his  being  in  great  poverty  of  fpirit  faying,  that  be- 
fore he  was  taken  ill,  he  felt  fuch  deep  diflrefs 
of  mind,  that  he  thought  he  was  a  cumber  to  the 
ground,  and  fcarcely  worthy  to  partake  of  the 
meaneft  ncceflaries  of  life,  that  even  bread  and 
water  feemcd  too  good  for  him. 

On 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         ^209 

On  the  fourth  of  the  eleventh  month,  four  friends 
being  prefent,  he  fpake  in  a  very  awtul  frame  of 
mind  nearly  as  follows,    "  Such  build  on  a  fandy 
"  foundation  who  refufe  paying  that  which  is  call 
*'  ed  the  Provincial  or  King's  Tax,  only  becaufe 
*'  fome  others  fcruple  paying  it,  whom  they  efteem, 
"  yet  I  have  now  clearly  feen,  as  well  as  heretofore 
"  that  the  teilimony  of   Truth  if  deeply  attended 
^'  to,  will  not  be  found  to  unite  with  warlike  mea- 
"  fures:  And  that  it  will  in  the  Lord's  time  be  ex- 
"*'  alted  above  all  oppofition,    and  come  to  polfefs 
"  even  the  gates  of   it*s  enemies;    though  it  may 
"  appear   mean   and   contemptible   in   the   eyes   of 
^'  fome  now  a  days,   as  the  conduQ;  of  our  primi- 
"  tive  friends  did,  in  divers  refpeds  in  the  world's 
"  view:  And  whofoever  continues  to  trample  upon, 
''  or  defpife  the  tender  fcruples  of  their  brethren 
"  in  relation  to  their  clearnefs  concerning  war,  will' 
"  certainly  find  it  a  weight  too  heavy  for  them  to 
"  bear." 

"  My  teflimony  on  this  account  fo  far  as  I  have 
"  borne  it,  yields  me  fatisfaftion  at  this  time;  and 
^'  the  painful  fteps  I  have  taken  on  fundry  occafi- 
"  ons,  both  in  publick  and  private  to  difcharge  my 
*'  confcience  in  the  fight  of  God,  in  giving  faith- 
*'  ful  warnings  to  my  brethren  and  countrymen, 
"  both  in  a  civil  and  religious  capacity,  afford 
*'  rne  comfort  in  this  diftreffrng  feafon.  I  have 
"  clearly  feen,  and  the  profped  at  this  time  adds 
"  Divine  ftrength  to  my  foul.  That  the  God  of 
<^  Truth  is  determined  in  due  time  to  exalt  the 
"  mountain  of  his  Holinefs  above  all  the  hills  of 
an  empty  profellion ;  and  all  fuch  who  (hall  be 
*'  admitted  as  clean  inhabitants  thereon,  he  wills 
them  to  be  quite  clean  handed;  and  that  they 
fhould  become  fubjedt  to  the  Lamb's  Nature 
in  every  refped,  and  not  Ihake  hands  with  that 
E  e  "  nature 


r 


210         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

"  nature  which  would  tear  and  devour,  nor  in  any 
"  Ihape  contribute  to  the  price  oi  blood." 

At  another  time  he  faid,    "   I  have  been  led  in 
*'  the   prefent  difpenfation   allotted   me,    to   behold 
*'  the  licuation  ot  divers  particular  friends,  to  whom 
*'  I  feel  ardent  affection,  who  feem  to  have  given, 
"  or  fold  away  for  this  world's  friendfliip,  the  tefti- 
"  mony  they  Ihould   have  born  for  the  Prince  of 
"  Peace,  who  is  the  High  Prieft  of  our  profellion; 
>'  and  for  fear  of  breaking  an  outfide  unity,  which 
"  will  lurely  come  to  be  broken,  that  the  true  uni- 
ty in  the  bond  of  peace  may  be  exalted,  have 
acled  contrary  to  the  former  fight  of  their  duty, 
and  are  thereby  become  halt,  and  dimfighted  in 
fcveral   refpects;  fuch,  though  they  ftill  feem  to 
"  defire   it,    cannot  attain  to  the  fpotlefs  beauty  of 
Trutli,  nor  approach  to  the  top  of  the  mountain; 
on  whofe  account  1  am  afraid,  that  fome  of  them 
will  never  recover  their  former  flrength,  nor  at- 
tain to  that  dignity  the  truth  would  have  placed 
"  upon  them,  if  they  had  been  faithful;  the  fitua- 
tion  of   whom  1  have  bew^ailed  with  anxiety  of 
mind :  I  have  been  from  my  youth  up  accuftom- 
ed  to  forrow,    and  am  a  man  acquainted  with 
grief,    and   now   remarkably;    the  lives   of    my 
brethren,  and  of  all   men  appear  exceeding  pre- 
"  cious  in  my  fight.     It  looks  doubtful  whether  I 
"  fliall  ever  fee  my  friends  met  in  a  quarterly-meet- 
"  ing  again,  yet  if  it  be  the  will  of  Divine  Provi- 
"  dence  I  much  defire  it;  having  heretofore  thro' 
"  a  timerous  difpofition,  left  I  Ihould  oilend  fomc, 
'•  and  for  fear  of   the  frowns  of   elder  brethren, 
'•  concealed  fome  things  I  Ihould  have  declared: 
*'   And  if  I   iliould  now  never  more  have  a  publick 
''  opportunity,  I  fpeak  thus  in  your  hearing,  Ito  let 
"  it   be  known  that   I  am  ftill  a  well-wilher  to  all 
"  men,  and  that  my  integrity  to  the  teflimony  of 

"  Truth, 


4C 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         211 

*^  Truth,    againfl  all    connexions  with  wars    and 
fighting,  is  now  full  as  itrong,  or  ftronger  than 


''  ever." 


On  fecond  day  morning  the  ninth  of  the  eleventh 
month,  he  faid  to  his  effed,  viz,  "  I  have  been  led 
"  to  fee  the  neceflity  there  is  for  friends  to  beware 
"  of  the  cuftom  of  drinking  drams,  or  ftrong  fpi- 
"  rits  mixed;  1  have  for  many  years  rarely  taken 
'^  any,  except  on  particular  occafions,  and  then 
but  a  very  fmall  quantity:  It  is  my  judgment, 
that  the  lefs  any  of  us  accuftom  ourfelves  to  the 
ufe  of  thofe  fpirits,  the  better  it  would  be  for  our 
"  conftitutions  in  general;  I  believe  it  is  not  confift- 
*'  ent  with  the  will  of  Divine  Providence,  that  the 
courfe  of  nature  fhould  be  obftruded  and  chang- 
ed, and  our  animal  fpirits  corrupted  through  the 
unnatural  warmth  of  fpirituous  liquors." 

From  my  prefent  fenfe  and  feeling  of  that  re- 
gular temperance  which  is  truly  pleafmg  in  the 
Eyes  of  Heaven,  I  have  mourned  that  the  ufe  of 
ftrong  drink  fhould  become  fo  prevalent  amongft 
us  who  make  fo  high  a  profeflion ;  whofe  bodies 
fhould  be  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  fliould 
"  not  be  defiled,  or  tainted  with  any  degree  of  in- 
temperance: In  harveft  there  is  generally  plenty 
of  other  refrefliment,  which  would  keep  the  bo- 
dies of  men  as  ftrong,  and  as  capable  to  perform 
"  hard  labour:  Witnefs  the  health  and  ftrength  of 
"  our  fore-fathers  in  the  firft  fettlement  of  this 
^'  country,  when  ftrong  liquors  were  very  little 
*'  ufed  amongft  them." 

^  "  Alas!  how  dimnefs  has  overtaken  us,  when 
we  compare  ourfelves,  and  our  pradices  with  the 
temperance  and  moderation  of  our  fore-fathers, 
and  the  early  fcttlers  of  this  Province!  How 
*•'  fumptuous  now  are  the  tables,  how  rich  and 
^'  coftly  the  apparel,  the  diet,  and  the  furniture, 
'^  of   many  of  our  friends  even  in  the  country; 

"  but 


ce 


:ii2         The    LIFE    and   "TRAVELS" 

*'  but  more  cfpecially  in  the  cityl  How  is  the  fim- 
''  phcity  and  plainnefs  of  Truth  departed  from,^ 
"  and  pomp  and  fplendid  appearances  taken  their 
place  1  And  how  much  coll  and  time  might  be 
ipared  from  ncedlefs  things,  and  applyed  to  bet- 
ter ufes,  to  the  bettering  of  our  country,  and 
*•=  helping  to  turn  away  the  judgment  which  hangs 
*<i  over  us,  in  part  occafioned  by  thefe  things.'* 

"  I  defire  that  my  grand  children  may  be  brought 
*'  up  in  a  plain  fimple  way,  accuftomed  to  induitry, 
*'  and  fome  ufeful  bufmefs  in  the  creation;  not 
aiming  at  great  eftates,  nor  following  others  in 
that  way;  but  give  them  ufeful  learning,  and 
rather  chufe  hullDandry,  and  a  plain  calling  for 
them  in  the  country,  than  endeavour  to  promote 
them  to  ways  of  merchandize;  for  according  to 
my  obfervation  from  my  youth  up,  the  former 
is  Icfs  dangerous,  and  lefs  corrupting:  I  obferved 
when  I  was  in  England,  that  fome  of  the  great- 
efl  and  w^ifeft  men  in  a  religious  fenfe,  were 
brought  up  at  the  plough  tail,  or  in  fome  labori- 
*'  ous  occupation;  where  the  mind  is  lefs  liable  to 
*'  be  diverted  from  an  awful  fenfe  of  the  creator, 
than  in  an  eafy  idle  education:  How  many  great 
men  there  are,  whom  I  could  name,  whole  way 
of  living  is  mean  and  homely,  in  this  world's 
account,  fo  that  they  have  little  more  than  real 
*'  nccelTity  requires;  and  yet  they  are  rich  in  the 
«  bed  fenie." 

The  next  day,  being  aflvcd  how  he  was,  he  faid 
nearly  as  follows,  "  I  have  flept  fweetly,  and  feem 
*'  much  refrelhed,  and  the'  I  feel  myfelf  very 
weak  in  body,  I  am  full  of  Divine  confolation, 
having  never  before  had  fuch  profpccfs  ot  Hea- 
venly things:  It  feems  even  as  though  my  foul 
was  united  in  chorus  with  glorilyed  Saints  and 
*^  Angels  both  fleeping  and  waking.  I  now  believe 
*■'  I  ihall  recover^    and  that  this  ficknefs  did  not 

"  happen 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        213 

*•  happen  to  me  altogether  on  my  own  account; 
<'  my  way  to  recover  is  to  be  induflrious  and  dili- 
"  gent  in  what  1  believe  is  required  of  me;  I  have 
*'  many  meffages  to  deliver,  both  in  publick,  and 
"  privately  to  divers  friends,  whom  I  have  feen  to 
"  have  milTed  their  way,  and  have  in  a  great  mea- 
^'  fure  deprived  themfelves  of  tne  beauty  where- 
^'  with  an  humble  abiding  in  the  truth  would  have 
''  dignifyed  them;  and  ibme  of  my  elder  brethren, 
"  for  whom  I  feelan  uncommon  nearnefs  of  affec- 
"  tion,  their  lives  never  appeared  to  be  more  near 
^'  to  me,  and  I  dare  not  conceal  counfel  from  them, 
«'  whether  they  will  hear  or  forbear:  Yea,  I  thought 
^'  lad  night,  I  had  a  clear  profpecl  of  the  fituati- 
"  ons  of  many  v/ithin  the  verge  of  our  quarterly- 
^^  meeting;  it  feemed  as  though  the  inward  dates 
^'  of  particulars  were  opened  to  me  in  full  view; 
«'  the  pure  Life  in  the  brightnefs  of  Religion  never 
^'  appeared  to  be  more  precious;  an  uncommon 
"  earneftnefs  attends  my  mind,  for  the  recovery  of 
"  the  rebellious,  hypocritical,  and  backfiiding  pro- 
^'  feifors  of  all  ranks  amongfl  u.s :  And  if  I  get  to 
^'  our  quarterly-meeting  (which  I  believe  I  fliall) 
"  and  can  have  time  allowed  me  when  there,  I 
^'  have  tidings,  important  tidings,  as  from  a  dying 
^'  man,  to  many  particulars :  I  have  feen  the  myile- 
^'  ry  of  the  three  days,  or  the  Prophets  laying  three 
"  days  and  three  nights  in  the  belly  of  the  fifli: 
^'  A  wicked  and  adulterous  generation  are  now  as 
^'  well  as  formerly,  feeking  for  a  fign  to  things 
^'  fpoken  clofely,  but  no  fign  fliall  be  given  them, 
e"  fave  the  fign  of  the  Prophet  Jonah:  Our  Savi- 
"  our's  fufferings  for  mankind^  and  afterwards  de- 
"  fcending  into  the  bowds  of  the  earth  prefigured 
"  that  this  followers  muft,  after  his  pattern,  de- 
"  fcend  into  Spiritual  Baptiim;  that  they  may  rife 
'^  again,  freed  from  the  dregs  of  nature,  and  from 
\^  the  corruptions  of  the  cre^turely  paffions,  before 

"  they 


214  "^HE  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 
"  they  can  be  qualified  to  fee,  and  fuitably  to  ad- 
*'  minifler  to  the  ftatcs  of  others.  I  have  likewife 
*'  feen  the  myftery  of  Ezekiers  fufferings,  and 
*'  bearing  the  fins  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael  for  the 
*'  fpace  of  390  days,  which  being  accompliflied,  he 
*'  was  commanded  to  turn  on  the  other  fide,  and 
*'  to  bear  the  fins  of  Judah  forty  days,  for  the  cor- 
ruptions of  that  princely  tribe^  who  fliould  have 
been  as  way-marks  to  others.  My  ftate  has  been 
for  feveral  years  pad,  my  deep  Baptifms,  and 
painful  fittings  in  our  meetings,  like  bearing  the 
*'  rod  of  the  wicked,  in  which  difpenfation  I  have 
*'  been  fometimes  ready  to  conclude  with  Elijah, 
"  that  the  altars  were  thrown  down,  and  the  Lord's 
"  Prophets  flain,  and  I,  a  mean  worthlefs  fervant 
''  left  alone,  and  that  my  life  was  fought  alfo;  I 
*'  have  now  feen  the  ufe  of  thofe  difpenfations  to 
*'  me,  with  the  ufe  of  my  late  ficknefs,  whereby 
*'  I  am  reduced  to  great  weaknefs  of  body;  that 
*'  I  might  be  as  a  iign  to  this  generation,  and  as 
*'  with  the  mouth  of  a  dying  man,  utter  tidings 
"  without  fear  of  giving  offence;  tidings  which  I 
*'  have  heretofore  concealed,  through  a  timerous 
"  difpofition.  I  have  feen  at  this  feafon  that  the 
*'  Lord  hath  preferved  a  living  num.ber  in  Ifrael, 
"  who^have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal,  or  the 
*'  god  of  this  world,  I  have  alfo  feen  the  conditions 
"  of  many  who  have  worOiipped  flrange  gods;  and 
*'  the  corruption  even  of  fome  who  have  alfumed 
"  the  flation  of  minilfers  in  our  fociety,  how  they 
*'  are  deceived  fo  far  as  to  believe  a  lye;  have  feen 
*'  lying  vifions,  and  have  caufed  the  weak  to  flum- 
*'  ble;  they  have  been  fpeaking  peace  to  the  people 
•'  as  in  the  Lord's  Name,  when  it  was  only  a  fialh, 
"  or  divination  of  their  own  brain,  which  has  tend- 
*'  ed  to  corruption  and  putrefadion  in  the  church- 
«'  es:  And  I  have  feen  how  that  many  little  ones 
*'  have  laid  groaning  as  under  the  burden  and  op-i 

''  prellion 


CF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        ^15 

"  preflion  of  thefe  things,  whofe  day  of  redemp^ 
"  tion  draweth  near,  when  they  fliall  be  made  by 
"  the  Ahnighty,  as  bright  flars  in  the  firmament 
"of  his  power;  and  thofe  who  are  corrupt,  and 
"  fettled  on  their  lees,  fhall  be  punifhed.  In  this 
"  difpenfation  I  have  abundantly  witnelTed  the  in- 
"  comes  of  that  Peace  and  Love  which  pafleth  all 
*'  underflanding ;  neither  my  tongue  nor  capacity 
''  are  able  to  fet  forth  the  bowels  of  compallion 
which  I  livingly  feel  to  flow  towards  the  whole 
bulk  of  mankind;  and  efpecially  to  my  brethren 
in  profelTion:  Yea,  it  feems  as  though  no  afflidion 
would  be  too  great  to  endure  for  their  fakes, 
if  it  might  be  a  means  to  have  fome  of  them 
(whofe  fitutation  1  have  now  been  led  to  behold 
as  particulars)  refhored  to  their  former  greennefs 
and  fpiritual  health,  from  whence  they  have 
fallen,  and  dimnefs  has  overtaken  them.  And 
tho'  my  outward  man  feems  almoil  wafted,  my 
fpirit  is  ftrong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  inexpref- 
fible  ftrength  of  affeftion,  I  have  found  my  fpirit 
led  from  place  to  place  over  the  country,  to  vifit 
the  fouls  in  prifon:  Yea,  I  have  beheld  the  dawn- 
ing of  that  precious  morning,  wherein  corrup- 
tion {hall  be  fwept  away  from  the  church,  and 


€C 
«C 

cc 
«c 

4( 
<C 
<.i 

re 

«c 

cc 

"  Righteoufnefs  and  Truth  begin  to  flour* '"'t  great- 
"  ly:  The  day  feems  to  me  to  be  at  hand;  and 
"  what  if  I  fay,  1  have  a  degree  of  faith  that  fome 
*'  of  the  children  now  born  may  live  to  fee  it: 
"  Through  innocent  boldnefs,  my  face  now  feems 
"  to  be  as  brafs,  and  in  the  openings  of  the  vifion 
y  of  life,  I  think  1  could  utter  Gofpel  Truths,  and 
"  difcover  the  myftery  of  iniquity  which  I  have 
"  feen,  without  fearing  any  mortal  man:  I  may  be 
"  raifed  to  live  a  while  longer,  though  to  die  now, 
"  would  be  a  welcome  releafe  to  me:  Yea,  I  could 
"  not  defire  to  hve,  but  for  the  longings  of  foul, 
*'  and  pantings  of  heart  which  I  feel  towards  the 

*'  precious 


2i5        The    life    and    TRAVELS 

"  precious  feed  in  many  whom  I  have  now  been 
*'  led  in  fpirit  to  vifit.  I  have  beheld  their  fituation 
*'  to  be  as  lumps,  taken  or  cut  out  from  the  bowels 
"  of  their  mother  the  earth,  tho'  much  hidden 
*'  from  the  view  of  mortals;  and  are  tempering 
*'  and  fafliioning  by  the  Divine  Potter,  in  diiferent 
*'  Ihapes,  for  divers  ufes;  and  I  have  feen  that  the 
^  Potter's  Power  is  fufficient  to  pick  out,  and  take 
"  away  every  gravel  and  little  pebble  of  nature; 
"  many  I  have  beheld  in  this  fituation,  fet  by  (as 
*'  it  were)  out  of  fight  to  dry,  until  all  the  damp- 
*'  nefs  and  natural  moidure  is  removed  from  them: 
"  Not  being  yet  fitted  to  undergo  the  operation 
"  of  burning;  but  when  properly  prepared,  and 
*'  thoroughly  dried,  many  will  be  brought  to  the 
*'  fire,  burned,  and  glazed,  fo  that  they  may  retain 
*'  the  liquor  or  wine  of  the  kingdom  with  a  fweet 
"  tafle,  without  any  degree  of  taint,  or  naufeous 
"  fmell." 

On  the  twelfth  of  the  eleventh  month  early  in 
the  morning,  he  fpake  to  this  purpofe;  "  I  believe 
*'  I  mud  endeavour  to  go  to  our  quarterly-meetings 
*'  (which  began  the  fourteenth)  although  as  to  bo- 
*'  dily  flrength  i  am  very  weak:  There  my  mind  is 
*'  remarkably,  ileeping  and  waking;  there  I  hope 
"  to  Ge  relieved  of  fome  things  which  feem  to  re- 
'«  main  like  a  fire  in  my  bones;  I  dare  not  forbear, 
"  I  know  it  is  the  way  for  me  to  recover  my 
"  flrength  outwardly,  and  to  be  eafed  of  that  which 
"  is  a  heavy  burden  inwardly;  I  fee  I  mufl  go,  and 
"  believe  I  Ihall  recruit,  and  gain  flrength  every 
''  day,'^  (which  was  the  cafe  accordingly.)  He  fur- 
ther faid,  "  My  mind  has  for  feveral  days  been  at- 
"  tended  with  an  uncommon  fweetnefs,  the  like  I 
*^'  never  knew  for  fo  long  together,  with  a  fucceilion 
''  of  foul-melting  prol'pe61:s :  I  have  freedom  to  relate 
^^  what  I  had  a  fight  of  tliis  morning  before  day,  as  I 
"  lay  in  a  fweet  llumber:"  (which  was  nearly  in  thefe 

words,) 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        217 

•Ti^ords,)  viz,  "  1  thought  1  faw  Noah's  Ark  floating 
*'  on  the  deluge,  or  jdood,  with  Noah  and  his  Fa- 
*'  mily  in  it,  and  looking  earneflly  at  it,  I  beheld 
*'  the  window  of  the  Ark,  and  faw  Noah  put  out 
*'  the  dove;  and  1  beheld  her  flying  to  and  fro,  for 
*'  fome  time;  but  finding  no  reft  for  the  foal  of 
"  her  foot,  I  thought  Ihe  returned,  and  I  faw 
*'  Noah's  hand  put  forth  to  take  her  in  again.  Af- 
*'  ter  fome  time  I  thought  I  beheld  her  put  forth  a 
*'  fecond  time,  and  a  raven  with  her,  the  dove 
^'  fled  as  before  for  fome  time,  and  then  I  faw  her 
*'  return  with  a  green  olive  leaf  in  her  mouth,  as 
''  a  welcome  token  of  the  flood's  being  abated;  I 
^'  thought  I  faw  alfo  the  raven  fly,  cawking,  to  and 
^'  fro,  but  he  did  not  return;  and  it  came  int©  my 
*'  mind,  this  is  a  ravenous  bird,  and  feeks  only 
*'  for  prey  to  fatisfy  his  own  flomach,  otherwife 
^'  he  might  have  returned  to  the  "Ark  with  good 
*'  tidings,  or  fome  pleafant  token,  as  well  as  the 
*'  dove:  Again,  after  a  fliort  fpace,  I  thought  I 
*'  beheld  the  mountain  tops,  and  fome  of  the  tree 
*'  tops,  beginning  to  appear  above  the  waters,  and 
"  that  I  could  perceive  the  flood  abate  very  faflj 
^'  and  as  the  waters  fell  away  I  faw  the  trees  begaa 
*'  to  bud  and  a  gradual  greennefs  of  new  leaves 
"  came  upon  them,  and  1  heard  the  voice  of  the 
turtle,  and  faw  many  fymptoms  of  a  pleafant  and 
happy  feafon  approaching,  more  than  I  can  now 
relate;  and  the  profped;  thereof  raviflied  my 
foul ;  I  beheld  the  trees  bloffoming,  the  fragrant 
valleys  adorned  with  grafs,  herbs,  and  pretty 
"  flowers,  and  the  pleafant  flreams  gufhing  dowa 
towards  the  ocean;  indeed,  all  nature  appeared 
to  have  a  new  drefs ;  the  birds  were  hopping  on 
the  boughs  of  the  trees,  and  chirping;  each  in 
their  own  notes,  warbled  forth  the  praife  of  their 
creator.  And  whilfl  I  beheld  thefe  things,  a 
faying  of  the  Prophet  was  brought  frefh  in  my 
F  f  memorv. 


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118        The    Life    and    TRAVEL'S 

*'  memory,  and  applicable  as  I  thought  to  the  view 
"  before  me,  viz.  W^*  7nountains  and  the  hills  JJmll 
•'  break  for- tb  before  yoit  into  finging^  and  all  the  trees 
''  of  the  field  jhall  clap  their  hands;  inftead  of  the  thorn 
''  jhall  come  up  the  Jir  tree^  and  inftead  of  the  brier 
*-^  fhall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree^  and  it  fJmlh  bo  to  the 
*'  Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlafiing  fign  that  fhall 
not  be  cut  off^*    lee  liaiah,  Iv.    12-13. 

When  I  awoke,  the  profpecl  remained  clear  in 
my  mind,  and  had  a  fweet  relifh,  which  now  con- 
tinues with  me;  and  the  application  of  the  Vifion 
*'  feems  to  me  in  this  manner:    The  fiood  which 
"  appeared  to  cover  the  face  of  the  earth,  is  the 
*'  corruption   and   darknefs   which   is   fo   prevalent 
*'  over  the  hearts  of  mankind;  the  Ark  reprefents 
"  a  place  of  fafe  (tho'  folitary)  refuge,  wherein  the 
"  Almighty  preferves  his  humble  attentive  people, 
''  w^ho,  like  Noah,  are  aiming  at  perfeftion  in  their 
''  generation*    The   dove  fets  forth  the   innocent, 
"  harmlefs,    and  loving  difpofition,  which  attends 
*^  the  followers  of  the  lamb  who  are  always  willing 
*'  to  bring  good  tidings,  when  fuch  are  to  be  had: 
<'  The  raven  reprefents  a  contrary  difpofition  which 
*'  reigns  in  the  hearts  t)f  the  children  of  difobedi- 
<'  ence,    who  chiefly  aim  at  gratifying  their  own 
*'  fenfual  appetites ;    the  waters  gradually  abating, 
*'  the   trees    appearing,    and    afterwards    budding, 
*'  the  voice  of  the  turtle,  and  the  pleafant  notes  of 
"  the  birds,    all  fcem  clear  to  me,  to  prefage  the 
approach  of  that  glorious  morning,  wherein  cur- 
ruption  and  iniquity  Ihall  begin  to  abate,  and  be 
fwept  away;  and  then  every  thing  fliall  appear  to 
have  a  new  drefs:    I  am  fully  confirmed  in  the 
belief,  that  that  feafon  will  approach,  which  was 
foretold  by  the  prophet,  wherein  the  glory  of  the 
"  Lord   Ihall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover 
*'  the  fea;    and  in  a  fenfe  of  thefe  things  my  foul 
*'  is  overcome.     I  feel  the  loving  kindnefs  ot  the 

"  Lord 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        %ig 

Lord  Almighty,  yet  waiting  for  the  return  of 
backfliders  with  unfpeakable  mercy;  and  my 
foul  in  a  fenfe  of  it,  feems  bound  (tronger  than 
ever,  in  the  bonds  of  a  gofp^l  travail;  which 
travail  I  hope  will  encreafe,  and  fpread  amongfl 
the  faithful,  for  the  enlargement  of  the  church; 
that  the  nations  may  flock  unto  Sion;  which 
fliall  become  an  eternal  excellency,  even  the  joy 

^'  of  the  whole  earth." 

Again  he  exprefled  his  having  a  profpe^l  of  the 

morning ;  and  faid,  ^'  The  day  flar  is  rifen,  which 
prefages  the  approach  of  the  morning;  I  have 
feen  it  in  its  luftrc,  and  have  a  lively  fenfe  of 
that  faying  being  again  fulfilled  in  the  New-Cre- 
ation, (fee  Job,  xxxviii.  7.)  Tbe  mornmg  Jiars 
fang  together,  and  the  fons  of  God  fhouted  for  joy. 
I  have  heard  their  found  intelligibly,  and  my 
heart  is  comforted  therein.  The  potfherds  of  the 
earth  may  clafh  together  for  a  feafon;  but  the 
Lord  in  due  time  will  bring  about  the  reforma- 
tion: The  predictions  of  Archbiftiop  Ufher, 
(mentioned  in  the  preface  to  Sewell's  Hiitory) 
have  come  frefh  in  my  memory,  and  nearly  cor- 
refpond  with  the  fenfe  I  have,  that  a  fharp  and 
tryiiig  difpenfation  is  to  come  upon  the  profef- 
fors  of  chriftianity;  wherein  the  honeft  and  up- 
right hearted  fhall  be  hid  as  under  the  hollow  of 
the  Lord's  hand;  when  rents,  divifions  and  com- 
motions fliall  encreafe  amongfl  the  earthly-mind- 
ed, and  one  branch  of  a  family  be  at  flrife  with 
another,  hke  the  daughter-in-law  againft  the 
mother-in-law,  &c.  and  happy  will  it  be  for  thofe 
who  endeavour  to  ftand  ready  for  the  approach 
of  fuch  a  difpenfation," 


CHAP 


££ 


020         The    life    and    TRAVELS 
CHAP.      VIL 

His  Vijft  to  the  ^iartcrJy-?necting  at  Salem^  and  the 
General-?iieetings  at  Uwchlan  and  Gcjhen^  in  1764. 
His  attendance  of  the  Tearly-meeting  in  Fhiladel- 
phia,  1767 — And  the  Generai'??ieeti?ig  at  Ccecii  in 
Maryland. — The  Death  of  his  Wife, — His  Viftt  to 
divers  Meetings  in  Chejier  and  Bucks  Counties — to 
the  Tearly -meeting  in  Maryland. — Alfo  to  feveral 
Meetings  in  NeiD-Jerfey. — And  fome  others  in  York 
County  Fcnnfylvania» — Alfo  to  Fairfax ^  <&c.  in 
Virginia. 

N  the  fpring  of  the  year  1764,  I  acquainted  my 
friends  that  I  had  a  defire  to  attend  the  quar- 
terly-meeting at  Salem  in  New-Jerfey,  wherewith 
having  their  concurrence,  on  the  feventeenth  of  the 
fifth  month  I  left  home  and  went  to  Wihnington, 
and  next  day  in  company  with  feveral  friends  IVom 
thence  by  water  to  our  friend  Jofliua  Thompfon's 
at  the  mouth  of  Salem  Creek ;  at  the  meeting  of 
miniders  and  elders  we  were  comfortted  together 
through  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord;  on  firft  day 
there  was  a  large  gathering  of  a  mixed  multitude, 
and  quiet,  the  Divine  power  being  felt  and  Gofpel 
Truths  preached,  by  the  influence  of  the  love 
whereof  many  hearts  were  tendered;  tho'  1  thought 
the  beauty  and  folemnity  of  the  meeting  was  a  little 
uiarrcd  by  an  appearance  that  was  continued  too 
long;  to  begin  in  the  life  and  conclude  in  the  poiver 
and  life^  is  becoming  a  mimftcr  of  the  Gofpel. 

On  fecond  day  morning  the  meeting  of  miniders 
and  elders  was  again  held,  it  was  a  precious  inltruc- 
tive  fealbn  in  the  love  of  Chrifl  our  holy  head,  by 
which  the  humble  were  united ;  afterwards  we  had 
a  large  meeting  for  public  worlliip,  wherein  the 
tcflimony  gf  Truth  flowed  freely  j   tlie  call  to  tlie 

juiuiltry 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         221 

miniftry  and  qualification  neceflary  to  preach  the 
Gofpel  being  clearly  fet  forth;  in  humble  admira- 
tion I  could  renewedly  acknowledge,  "Jbou  art^  Oh 
Lord!  Strength  in  our  weaknefs^  mouth  and  wifdom^ 
yea  all  things  to  thy  humble  depending  fervants  whofe 
trufi  is  on  thee,  waiting  for  thy  putting  forth  in  the 
way,  and  gently  going  before  them,  ble/pd  be  thy  holy 
name  for  ever.  In  tranfacling  the  alFairs  of  the 
difcipline  a  fpirit  of  brotherly  love  prevailed;  the 
youth's-meeting  at  Piiefgrove  v^  as  alio  large  and 
edifying,  the  great  Shepherd  of  Ifrael  being  pleafed 
to  flretch  forth  the  crook  of  his  Love,  for  gather- 
ing of  the  (Iraying  youth  from  purfuing  after  lying 
vanities  and  worldly  pleafures;  miniilring  reproof 
to  hypocrites  and  formal  profelTors,  yet  comforting 
"his  children  and  humble  dependant  followers,  to 
the  praife  of  his  own  eternal  name;  the  meeting  of 
minillers  and  elders  fat  again  by  adjournment,  when 
Ave  had  an  uniting  parting  feafon;  I  returned  to  my 
friend  Jofhua  Thompfon's,  next  day  to  a  meeting 
at  Wilmington,  and  in  the  evening  home,  being 
thankful  that  I  had  been  enabled  to  perform  this 
finall  journey. 

After  which  having  a  flrong  defire  to  attend  the 
general-meetings  at  Gofhen  and  Uwchlan,  on  the 
eighth  of  the  fixth  month  my  dear  wife  and  I  left 
home,  tho'  I  was  very  unwell  with  a  cold  taken  in  my 
return  from  Salem,  and  a  fever  attending  me  eve- 
ry day;  we  atte^ided  Uwchlan  meeting  on  firll:  day, 
alfo  one  in  the  evening  at  the  houfe  of  our  brother 
Daniel  Brown,  which  was  dull  and  exercifmg,  from 
fZ.  fenfe  of  the  prevalence  of  a  fpirit  which  leads 
many  into  forgetfulnefs  of  God,  after  the  vanities, 
love  and  pleafures  of  this  perifliing  world.  Next 
day  the  general  meeting  at  Gofhen  was  very  large, 
and  much  difturbed  by  the  going  out  and  coming 
in  of  many,  but  thro'  Divine  goodnefs  it  came  to 
^  better  fettleinent  before  it  concludedj  when  folid 


222         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

friends  in  a  degree  of  the  rene\\fing  of  the  LordV 
comforting  love,  were  refrefhed  in  him  and  one  ano- 
ther; a  vifitation  being  continued  to  the  youth,  the 
praife  whereof  belongs  to  the  great  Author  of  all 
good! 

The  general-meeting  at  Uwchlan  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing was  alfo  large,  and  meafurably  attended 
with  the  ownings  of  truth,  under  the  influence  of 
which,  admonition  and  counfel  flowed  freely  to  the 
youth,  the  Divine  witnefs  in  feveral  of  whom  was 
reached,  and  the  name  of  the  Lord  praifed,  who 
is  for  ever  worthy! 

In  thefe  large  meetings,  as  on  all  other  fuch  oc- 
cafions,  it  is  neceflTary  in  order  for  a  proper  qualifi- 
cation to  miniflier  to  the  people,  humbly  to  wait  to 
know  the  inward  life,  and  baptizing  virtue  of  the 
fpirit  and  power  of  Jefus  Chrifl:,  our  all  in  all,  with- 
out whofe  help  we  can  never  do  his  work  to  his 
praife,  but  inilead  of  gathering  the  flock,  we  fliall 
miniflier  to  their  fcattering  from  the  true  place  of 
feeding.  After  being  at  the  preparative  meeting  at 
Eafli-Caln  and  a  meeting  at  Uwchlan,  we  returned 
home  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  had  mercifully 
fupported  us  in  this  fmall  journey,  both  of  us  being 
weakly  and  indifpofed  in  health. 

In  the  ninth  month  1767,  I  attended  our  yearly- 
meeting  in  Philadelphia,  which  held  a  week,  all  the 
fittings  whereof  both  for  worfliip  and  dilcipline, 
were  through  the  overfliad owing  of  Divine  favour, 
inflru^live  to  the  humble  waiters;  and  the  teilimo- 
ny  of  Truth,  particularly  againft  the  unjuft  and 
unrighteous  praclice  of  flave-keeping,  greatly  pre- 
vailed;  and  friends  were  fully  cautioned  againft  be- 
queathing by  will,  as  flavcs  to  their  polterity,  the 
poor  Negroes,  their  fellow-creatures,  it  being  an 
unlawful  a£l:  in  the  fight  of  the  great  and  righteous 
parent  of  all  mankind.  This  meeting  concluded  with 
a  degree  of  awe  and  reverence,  under  the  fwecten- 

ing 


6f    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         2I3 

ing  influence  of  the  Father's  Love:  I  returned 
home  to  our  general-meeting  at  Nottingham,  which 
was  held  on  the  fourth  and  fifth  days  of  the  tenth 
month.  .4 

After  which  having  a  flrong  defire  to  attend  the 
general-meeting  at  Ccecil  in  Maryland,  I  fat  out  in 
company  with  feveral  other  friends,  and  reached 
the  firft  fitting  of  the  meeting,  which  was  fmall 
and  dull;  the  public  meeting  next  day  was  very- 
large  and  attended  with  fome  fatisfaction,  thofe  of 
Other  focieties  who  were  there  were  moflly  pretty 
quiet;  at  the  meeting  of  miniilers  and  elders  the 
w^ant  of  folid  elders  being  evident,  the  confidera- 
tion  thereof  was  propofed  to  the  quarterly-meeting, 
which  was  held  in  the  afternoon  of  the  fame  day^ 
when  it  was  recommended  to  the  monthly-meetings 
to  obferve  the  diredions  of  the  yearly-meeting,  to 
chufe  well  qualified  folid  friends  for  that  weighty 
flation. 

The  meeting  for  public  v/orfhip  was  again  large, 
being  attended  by  many  of  other  focieties,  and  my 
brother  W™*  Brown  was  largely  opened  in  dod:rine 
to  the  edification  of  the  auditory;  after  which  I 
had  a  fhort  teftimony  tending  to  clofe  the  forego- 
ing: In  the  meeting  for  difcipline  I  had  occafion 
to  lament  that  there  were  too  few  who  feehngly 
tmderllood  the  weight  of  fuch  meetings,  or  were 
clean  handed  to  move  therein,  either  to  their  own 
profit  or  the  help  of  their  brethren;  yet  there  are  a 
fev/  who  feem  to  be  under  a  preparation  for  the 
work,  and  I  hope  will  grow  in  their  gifts.  On 
third  day  morning  bufinefs  began  again,  and  ended 
full  as  well  as  I  expected.  I  thought  the  Lord  was 
mercifully  pleafed  to  open  confidcrable  inllruclion 
to  fuch  among  them,  who  had  ears  to  hear  and 
hearts  difpofed  to  receive  it.  The  meeting  for  wor- 
fhip  held  that  afternoon,  v/as  not  fo  large  as  on  the 
other  two  days,    the  fervice  •  thereof  lay  weightily 

on 


^24        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

on  me,  and  I  had  a  full  opportunity  to  relieve  my 
mind  towards  the  people,  in  opening  to  them  the 
nature  and  ground  of  fpiritual  worlhip  and  true 
prayer,  alfo  the  true  call  and  qualihcation  for 
gofpcl  minillry,  declaring  what  it  was  to  live  of 
the  Go/pel^  in  oppofition  to  a  forced  maintenance; 
Truth  tavoured  and  the  people  were  folid,  feveral 
being  much  reached;  the  meeting  ending  to  fatlf- 
faction,  with  a  fenfe  of  humble  thankfgiving  in 
many  hearts  to  the  Lord,  whofe  mercies  through 
Chrill  Jefus  are  to  his  people  yea  and  amen  for 
ever. 


iiis  ivifc  being  under  many  years  affliclion  with  d 
dancer  on  her  head^  which  was  now  Jo  greatly  in^ 
creafed  as  to  require  his  daily  affedionate  attendance^ 
confjicd  him  mojlly  at  home  until  after  her  deceafe^ 
which  was  in  the  f event h  w.onth  1770;  f}:>e  was  a 
jieady  examplary  friend :  Concerning  whom  the  month- 
ly-meeting of  l>lottingham  give  the  following  tejlimony, 

*'  Our  friend  Margaret  Churchman  was  born 
*'  (of  believing  parents  William  and  Efther  Brown, 
<«  who  lived  at  Chicheller  in  the  county  of  Chefter 
*'  in  Pennfylvania,)  the  thirteenth  of  the  firll  month 
•^  1706-7,  her  father  removing  with  his  family  into 
*'  Maryland  near  Sufquehanna,  died  before  fhe  was 
ten  years  old.  In  the  twenty-third  year  of  hef 
age,  fhe  entered  into  a  marriage  (late  with  John 
Churchman  of  Nottingham,  and  being  religiouf- 
Iv  inclined  from  her  childhood,  became  a  diligent 
*'  feeker  after  that  bread  which  nouri flies  the  in- 
*'  ward  man,  and  thereby  grew  in  religion,  and 
**  about  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  her  age,  it  pleafed 
*«  the  Lord  to  put  her  forth  in  the  miniilry,  in  which 
.**  (he  was  frequently  exercil'ed  to  the  comfort  and 
*'  edification  of  the  churches  where  flie  vifited,  in 
*'  this  and  the  Southern  Provinces,  being  delivered 
*'  in  a  degree  of  life,  and  gofpel  fweetnefs  in  per- 

"  tinent 


OP  JOHN    CHURCltMAN.        % 

**  tlnent  expreflions,  free  from  unbecoming  geftures; 
^'  fhe  was  an  example  in  plainnefs,  a  diligent  at- 
,"  tender  of  meetings,  and  an  humble  waiter  there- 
"  in,  ferviceable  in  meetings  of  bufinefs,  having  a 
*^  good  fenfe  of  difcipline,  v/ith  a  becoming  zeal 
*'  to  fupport  the  teftimony  of  Truth  in  its  various 
branches,  and  ufeful  in  the  weighty  fervice  of 
vifiting  families. 

In  the  latter  part  of  her  life  fhe  was  for  many 
years  afflid:ed  with  a  cancer  on  her  head,  which 
fhe  bore  with  remarkable  patience,  refignation 
and  innocent  chearfulnefs,  attending  meetings 
to  the  admiration  of  many  who  knew  her  dif-i 
eafe,  which  notwithflanding  various  applications 
"  fo  increafed  that  fhe  became  too  weak  to  attend 
meetings  fometime  before  her  deceafe,  yet  fhe 
*'  retained  her  love  to  truth  and  friends  to  the 
"  laft,  and  in  the  fixty-fourth  year  of  her  age,  be- 
«'  ing  a  minifler  about  thirty  years,  fhe  departed 
"  this  life,  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  the  feventh 
«'  month  1770,  and  was  buried  on  the  thirtieth  in 
"friends  burying  ground  at  Eafl-Nottingham,  at- 
"  tended  by  many  friends  and  neighbours,  at  which 
«  time  we  had  a  folid  fatisfadory  meeting." 

*'  Given  forth  by  our  monthly-meeting  held  at 
"  Eafh-Nottingham,  the  twenty-feventh  of  the 
"  feventh  month  1771,  and  figned  on  behalf 
"  thereof,  by 

"  Samuel  England,  J  Q^^^y.^  ,, 
"  Rebecca  Trimble,^ 

Having  an  inclination  to  attend  Chefler  quarterly- 
fneeting,  alfo  fome  meetings  within  the  verge  there- 
of; with  the  concurrence  of  friends  I  fat  out  on 
the  firfl:  of  the  fecond  month  1771^  attended  New- 
Garden  monthly-meeting  next  day,  in  which  the 
love  of  our  merciful  Father  was  meafurably  felt,  to 
the  comfort  of  the  humble  in  heart,  and  on  firfl 

G  g  day 


226        The   LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

day  at  Birmingham,  on  the  next  had  a  meeting  Irt 
the  houfe  of  Richard  Downing  at  Milltown,  with 
people  of  various  forts;    the  Lord  was  pleafed  to 
alTid  with  wildom  and  abiHty,    in  meafure,  to  di- 
vide his  word  in  reproof,  counfel,  admonition  and 
caution,    to  the  praife  of  his  own  name;  on  third 
day  at  Pikeland  was  a  pretty  full  meeting  tho*  a 
very  cold  day,  Truth  was  felt  to  be  near  us ;  a  pro- 
fitable opportunity  was  had  alfo  in  the  family  of  the 
widow  Meredith,  Ihe  being  weakly  did  not  get  out 
to  their  meeting;  next  day  had  a  cold  ride  to  Nant- 
mell,  where  was  a  large  full  meeting  and  I  believe 
beneficial  to  many  prefent,  by  the  tendering  good- 
nefs  of  the  blefled  Shepherd  of  fpiritual  Ifrael,  the 
crook  of  whofe  heavenly  Iovq.  is  flill  flretched  forth 
to   his   flieep,    who  are  not  yet  acquainted  with  the 
true  fold  of  reft  and  fafe  feeding  place;  his  own 
works  praife  him:  Uwchlan  monthly-meeting  on  the 
day  following  was  a  laborious  feafon,  yet  through 
Divine  favour  made  comfortable  to  the  weary  tra- 
vellers,   who   had  to  rejoice  together  in  a  participa- 
tion of  the  confolation  of  Ifrael,    and  therein  to 
worlhip  his  name  who  is  worthy  for  ever.     Gofhen 
monthly-meeting  was  alfo  laborious;   when  former 
experience  is  fed  upon,    or  the  love  or  honour  of 
the  world  and  fiefhly  eafe  takes  place,  a  fpirit  grows 
up  in  the  church,  which  cannot  judge  for  God  and 
his  Truth;    for  the  judgment  is  his,  in  whofe  fear 
his  children  are  made  to  rejoice,  when  his  ptefence 
is  known,  and  his  humbling  goodnefs  manifefted 
to  his  people.     On  firft  day  I  was  at  Middletbwn 
meeting,    in   which   there   feemed  to  be   a  tender 
vifitation  and  call  to  the  youth,  to  acquaint  them- 
felves  with  the  God  of  their  Fathers,  his  love  being 
tneafurably  witnefled  among  us.      The  quarterly- 
n^cting  for  Chefter  held  at  Concord,  was  folid  and 
edifying,    through  the  extending  of  the   Heavenly 
father's  love  to  the  children  of  his  family;  from 

thence 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         227 

thence  I  went  to  Wilmington,  vifited  fome  of  my 
aquaintance,  and  had  a  comfortable  fitting  in  the 
family  of  David  Ferrifs,  his  fon  Benjamin  being  ill 
in  a  confumption:  I  alfo  attended  the  monthly- 
meeting,  which  tho'  a  fearching  time,  was  I  be- 
lieve to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  many,  the 
uniting  love  of  truth  being  experienced,  reded  on 
friends  in  the  time  of  the  bulinefs ;  after  which  I 
went  to  the  monthly-meetings  at  Center  and  Brad- 
ford, and  from  thence  to  our  quarterly-meeting 
at  London-Grove;  then  returned  home,  having 
great  peace  in  performing  this  journey,  and  being 
favoured  with  ability,  felt  a  degree  of  reverent 
thankfulnefs  to  the  Lord,  who  is  all  things  to  his 
fervants,  who  truly  abide  in  nothingnefs  of  felf,  he 
is  therefore  worthy  of  all  obedience  and  honour  for 
ever. 

On  the  twenty-firft  of  the  third  month,  I  left  my 
habitation  in  order  to  attend  our  general  fpring- 
meeting  at  Philadelphia,  in  my  way  called  at  Wil- 
mington, and  was  at  the  burial  qf  Benjamin  Ferrifs 
before  mentioned:  Our  fpring-meeting  was  to  me 
very  comfortable  in  a  fenfe  of  the  living  prefence 
of  the  Holy  Head  of  the  church,  in  which  his  true 
children  were  edified,  and  flrengthened  and  mutu- 
ally comforted  one  in  ariother;  bleU'ed  be  his  name 
for  ever! 

At  this  meeting  the  brethren  both  minifters  and 
elders,  apprehend  it  their  duty  in  the  love  of  Chrift, 
to  appoint  fuch  who  are  willing  to  give  up  their 
names  to  attend  the  feveral  large  or  general  meet- 
tings,  which  come  in  courfe  in  the  enfuing  fummer 
before  our  yearly-meeting,  to  which  they  are  ex- 
pelled to  give  fome  account  of  the  meetings  fo  at- 
tended by  them,  and  feeling  a  fmall  draught  in  my 
mind  to  be  at  that  at  Duck  Creek,  I  gave  in  my 
name  to  attend  ito 

On 


228         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

On  my  return  from  Philadelphia  I  fat  with  friends 
at  their  week  day  meeting  in  Wilmington,  which 
through  the  continued  goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  was 
in  fome  meafure  a  profitable  feafon,  I  hope  to  ma- 
jiy:  Here  I  felt  a  (Irong  defire  to  fee  the  friends  to- 
gether, who  are  owners  of  the  grift-mills  lately 
built  at  and  near  Brandiwyne,  and  upon  notice 
thereof,  they  met  the  fame  afternoon  at  the  houfe 
of  Daniel  Byrnes,  when  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
difcharge  my  mind  in  an  afteclionate  manner,  of 
what  had  imprefled  it  towards  them,  which  they 
appeared  to  receive  in  a  degree  of  the  fame  love, 
and  as  I  believe  it  came  from  the  author  of  all 
good,  who  is  alone  worthy  of  praife,  a  blefling  may 
attend  that  opportunity  if  rightly  remembered. 

On  the  twenty-fixth  of  the  fourth  month  being 
accompanied  by  a  friend  and  neighbour,  I  went  to 
Duck  Creek,  and  was  at  the  monthly-meeting  there 
the  next  day,  which  was  heavy,  occafioned  by  the 
prevalence  of  a  formal,  lukewarm  worldly  fpirit 
over  many  of  the  profeiTors  belonging  thereto,  but 
through  the  long  fuffering  and  continued  mercy  of 
God,  there  feemed  to  be  a  renewed  awakening  vi- 
fitation  to  fome.  The  meeting  on  firft  day  was  ve- 
ry large,  the  Lord  being  mercifully  pleafed  to  open 
the  ftates  and  conditions  of  many,  in  a  particular 
inftrumental  manner,  and  in  a  meafure  of  his  holy 
heart  tendering  power,  which  reached  the  witnefs, 
divers  were  humbled,  and  the  meeting  ended  with 
thankfgiving,  prayer  and  praifes  to  the  Lord  who 
is  worthy  for  ever. 

On  fecond  day  the  meeting  was  not  fo  large,  oc- 
cafioned by  a  fair  being  near,  neverthelefs  it  was  a 
feafon  in  which  the  dodlrine  and  myfteries  of  the 
kingdom  of  Chrift  were  largely  fet  forth  to  the 
people,  by  the  influence  ot  the  fpirit,  and  in  the 
love  and  wifdom  of  the  holy  high  Prieft,  who  is  all 
in  all  to  his  people. 

We 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         229 

We  had  alfo  three  fele6l  opportunities  with  the 
miniflers  and  elders,  among  whom  there  was  great 
apparent  weaknefs,  the  reafons  whereof  were  plain- 
ly made  known  to  them,  from  the  lenfe  given  in 
the  love  and  fear  of  him,  who  will  not  own  and 
unite  with  fuch  as  are  defiled,  which  plainnefs  we 
had  a  hope  would  be  profitable. 

Next  day  feveral  of  us  were  at  George's  Creek, 
"which  meeting  is  much  declined;  where  the  love 
of  the  world  and  its  alluring  vanities  prevail  on  the 
profefTors  of  truth,  their  aiieclions  are  drawn  from 
God,  they  grow  flack  in  attending  meetings,  and 
are  a  bad  example  one  to  another;  it  was  a  hard 
meeting,  but  through  the  love  of  Chrift,  a  meafure 
of  gofpel  anointing  enabled  to  open  to  them  their 
Itates  in  great  love  and  plainnefs,  which  feemed  to 
afFed  fome  particulars,  may  it  be  remembred  with 
reverence  before  him  who  is  the  author  of  all  good, 
and  praife  worthy  for  ever! 

Soon  after  my  return  home,  feeling  my  mind 
engaged  to  attend  the  quarterly-meeting  in  Bucks 
County,  with  a  few  other  meetings  in  Philadelphia 
.quarter,  I  fet  out  on  the  twenty-fixth  of  the  fifth 
month,  accompanied  by  Samuel  England,  and  on 
the  third  day  of  the  week  following  was  at  the 
Bank  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  which  was  comfort- 
able; on  fifth  day  at  the  quarterly-meeting  at  Buck- 
ingham, and  next  day  at  the  general  youth's  meet- 
ing, which  was  large  and  divinely  favoured,  then 
vifiting  feveral  indiipofed  friends,  on  firfl  day  I 
attended  Plumflead  meeting,  and  in  that  week  the 
feveral  monthly-meetings  of  Buckingham,  Wrjghtf- 
town,  the  Falls  and  Middietown,  alio  a  public  Uit^et- 
ing  at  Makefield;  was  on  firft  day  at  Briifol,  from 
whence  I  went  v/ith  my  friend  James  Thorn«:on  to 
their  afternoon  meeting  at  By  berry.,  had  an  ap- 
pointed one  at  the  fame  place  next  day;  and  in  that 
week  vifited  the  feveral  neigbouring  meetings,  one    . 


230         The    life    and    TRAVELS 

of  which  was  a  general  youth's  meeting  at  Horf- 
ham,  large  and  inllrudive,  wherein  the  love  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  was  felt  by  his  truly  depending 
children;  then  taking  meetings  at  Gwynedd,  Pro- 
vidence, Richland,  Oley,  Exeter,  Maiden  Creek, 
Reading,  and  on  firft  day  at  the  Foreft,  I  from 
thence  rode  to  Uti'chlan,  and  on  fecond  day  had  3 
meeting  at  Milltown  in  the  houfe  ol  Robert  Valen- 
tir%e,  then  proceeded  home^  having  rode  about  370 
miles  in  this  journey,  in  which  1  was  favoured  with 
my  health,  and  held  traveUing  beyond  my  expeda- 
tion.  At  the  gentle  drawings  of  Truth  1  left  my 
habitation,  having  httle  profped  of  much  before 
me,  but  was  preferved  in  a  quiet  refignation  to  the 
Divine  will  to  do  whatfoever  fhould  appear  my 
duty,  befeeching  the  Lord  to  enable  me  to  watch 
againft  every  appearance  of  felf  in  the  great  and 
pure  work  of  declaring  the  gofpel  to  the  people, 
and  have  great  caufe  to  be  humbly  thankful,  that 
the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  own  my  fervice  beyond 
expectation,  to  the  exaltation  of  his  own  truth  j 
bleifed  be  his  name  for  ever! 

In  the  tenth  month  following  I  went  to  the  yearly- 
meeting  at  Tliird-haven  in  Maryland,  the  meetings 
for  w  orlhip  held  three  days,  and  each  of  them  were 
very  large,  and  many  Gofpel  Truths  were  delivered 
in  the  love  and  power  thereof,  by  which  the  wit- 
nefs  of  God  was  reached  in  the  hearts  of  many  of 
the  people,  and  friends  comforted  and  made  thank- 
ful to  the  Lord,  that  he  was  pleafed  to  own  us  with 
the  overfliadowing  of  his  heavenly  love ;  on  fourth 
day  morning  the  affairs  of  the  difcipline  were  finilh- 
cd,  when  we  had  a  parting  meeting,  which  through 
Divine  favour  was  a  precious  time  to  many.  I  had 
never  been  at  the  yearly-meeting  when  held  at  this 
place  before,  and  now  witnefled  my  heart  enlarged 
in  the  love  of  the  Gofpel  to  declare  the  fame  among 
tVe  multitude  of  people  who  profeilcd  the  Chriftian 

name, 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        231 

name,  and  to  remind  them  of  their  condu6l  and 
drefs,  how  different  it  was  from  that  of  thole  who 
formerly  faffered  martyrdom  for  their  religion  as 
now  profefled  by  the  members  of  the  Church  of 
England  fo  called,  who  own  the  reformers  as  their 
predecelTors. 

Feeling  a  draught  of  love  in  my  mind  towards 
fome  meetings  in  New-Jerfey,  particulartly  at  Egg- 
harbour,  having  the  concurrence  of  my  friends  at 
home,  I  fet  out  on  fecond  day  the  firft  of  the  fixth 
month  1772,  and  taking  in  my  way  a  meeting  at 
Haddonfield,  and  another  at  the  houfe  of  my  friend 
Thomas  Evans,  which  through  the  prefence  and 
power  of  the  fearcher  of  hearts  was  made  profita- 
ble to  fome  there  prefent,  reached  Little  Egg-harbour 
on  feventh  day,  and  the  next  attended  the  yearly- 
meeting,  in  which  the  love  of  the  gofpel  was  felt  to 
flow  towards  a  loofe,  raw,  uncivilized  people,  who 
appeared  to  attend  there  more  out  of  curiofity,  than 
a  reverent  thoughtfulnefs  of  worlhiping  almighty 
God;  in  the  afternoon  of  the  fame  day  the  conti- 
nuance of  Divine  favour  was  remarkably  evident 
towards  the  inhabitants,  for  w^hich  the  Lord  made 
the  hearts  of  his  fenfible  children  thankful  to  him- 
felf  who  is  the  author  of  all  good;  the  meeting  on 
fecond  day  was  alfo  very  large,  in  which  the  true 
children  of  the  family  were  comforted  in  Chrifl 
Jefus  the  Lord  and  holy  head  ot  the  church,  by  the 
anointing  virtue  of  whofe  precious  name  and  power, 
they  were  made  to  rejoice  in  the  company  one  of 
another;  here  parting  with  many  valuable  beloved 
friends,  I  went  over  the  bay,  to  the  upper  meeting 
bn  Great  Egg-harbour  fhore,  which  was  large  confi- 
dering  the  notice,  here  I  \vas  comforted  in  knowing 
for  whofe  name  fake  I  was  made  willing  to  leave 
my  company,  and  turn  that  way,  the  Lord  being 
pleafed  to  own  my  fervice  by  the  infpiration  of  a 
degree  of  his  heavenly  wifdom  and  love,  to  fpeak 

to 


rz32        The   LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

to  the  ftates  of  thofe  that  were  prefent,  blefled  be 
his  name  who  is  worthy  for  ever.  I  went  home  with 
my  friend  Jofeph  Mapes,  next  day  attended  the 
lower  meeting,  which  through  Divine  favour  was  a 
precious  feafon,  then  paifed  over  to  the  Cape,  and 
next  morning  was  at  a  meeting  at  the  upper  houfe, 
where  many  not  of  our  fociety  attended,  to  whom 
the  doctrine  of  the  Golpel  flowed  in  defcribing  the 
nature  of  pure  and  undefiled  rehgion,  and  wherein 
it  confided;  the  people  were  ftill  and  quiet.  In 
the  afternoon  of  the  fame  day  1  had  a  meeting  at 
the  lower  houfe,  which  is  called  eight  miles  down 
the  Cape,  this  was  an  heart  tendering  time,  for 
which  friends  were  made  truly  thankful';  I  thought. 
it  feemed  like  to  be  my  lalt  vifit  to  thcfe  parts. 
From  thence  I  went  to  Cohanfy,  45  miles,  to  Mark 
Reeve's  where  I  refted  the  next  day,  being  very 
weary  and  almoll  overcome  with  hard  traveling; 
on  firft  day  I  was  at  Greenwich  meeting,  and  in 
the  afternoon  at  AUoways  Creek,  which  was  very 
large,  many  of  other  focieties  attending,  the  doc- 
trine of  Truth  flowed  to  them  in  a  meafure  of  the 
love  thereof;  next  day  the  meeting  at  Salem  was 
held  in  the  Court-houfe,  the  meeting-houfe  being 
taken  down,  and  a  new  one  building;  on  third  day 
I  was  at  the  upper  meeting  near  Alloways  Creek, 
which  through  Divine  Goodnefs  was  an  inflrudive 
titne  to  fome  feekers;  the  paflTage  treated  upon 
was  our  Lord's  defcription  of  the  pharifee  and  pub- 
lican who  went  up  to  the  temple  to  pray,  the  great 
difference  in  the  form  of  their  addrelfes  was  opened 
in  a  clear  manner,  by  the  fpirit  of  him  who  gave 
forth  that  parable,  to  my  humble  admiration,  which 
^as  ciufe  of  reverent  thankfuhiefs,  they  who  were 
fenfibic  being  encouraged,  and  the  conceited  form- 
aliils  rebuked. 

From   iiencc  I  went  to  John  Davis's,  had  a  com»- 
fortablc  opportunity  with  fome  indifpoled  friends  in 

his 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         233 

his  family  j  then  takiiig  meetings  at  Pilefgrove,  Up- 
per Greenwich,  and  Woodberry,  was  on  firft  day 
morning  at  Haddonfield,  and  in  the  afternoon  at 
Newtown,  which  laft  was  laborious,  tho'  I  believe 
being  blelfed  to  feveral  prefent,  was  thereby  made 
profitable;  that  evening  I  went  over  to  Philadelphia 
weary  in  body,  but  chearful  in  mind,  being  fenfi- 
ble  of  a  degree  of  thankfuinefs  for  the  continued 
favour  of  my  Lord  and  Mafter,  who  had  been  to 
me  a  quiet  habitation  and  fecret  fupport  in  this 
journey*  After  flaying  two  days,  and  on  each  at- 
tending meetings  in  the  city,  I  took  Wilmington 
meeting  in  my  way  home^  having  travelled  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  attended  about  twen- 
ty meetings,  befides  having  feveral  comfortable  op- 
portunities in  families* 

Being  under  an  appointment  with  other  friends 
of  our  quarterly-meetings  to  vifit  friends  of  the 
monthly-meetings  of  Warrington  and  Fairfax,  I  fet 
out  on  the  feventh  of  the  tenth  month,  and  taking 
a  meeting  with  friends  in  Yorktown,  we  were  at 
Warrington  on  firil  day^  then  vifited  the  feveral 
meetings  of  Newberry,  Huntington,  and  Monallen^ 
in  which  Truth  owned  our  fervice  in  a  good  de- 
gree; our  labour  of  love  appearing  to  be  kindly 
received,  I  hope  may  be  ufeful;  on  the  firft  day 
following  five  of  us  were  at  Pipe  Creek  meeting, 
then  at  Bufli  Creek,  Monaquefy,  Fairfax^  Goofe 
Creek,  and  Southfork,  wherein  the  Lord  was  pleaf* 
ed  in  his  wonted  goodnefs  and  mercy  to  magnify 
his  own  name  who  is  praife  worthy  for  ever. 

After  a  feafonable  opportunity  with  friends  held 
in  the  houfe  of  Abel  Janny  at  parting  with  them, 
we  returned  to  Fairfax  meeting  on  firft  day,  where 
under  the  influence  of  the  Divine  prefence,  the  tef* 
timony  and  dodrine  of  Truth  flowed  freely  to  the 
people,  in  a  humble  fenfe  whereof,  praifes  afcended 
to  his  holy  name  who  is  over  all  worthy  for  ever. 

H  h  Several 


234        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

Several  of   our  company  now  returning  home- 
wards,   three  of   us  not  being  eafy  yet  to  return, 
two  of   us  went  to  vifit  a  friend  who  lay  in  a  lan- 
guifhing  condition,  which  1  believe  was  ferviceable, 
the  love  of  our  Heavenly  Father  being  in  fome  de- 
gree felt  among  us;  on  third  day  we  had  a  meeting 
at  the   Gap  (fo  called)  among  a  raw  people,  where 
Divine  Goodnefs  meafurably  favoured  the  opportu- 
nity; on  the  day  folldwing  we  attended  Fairfax  pre- 
parative meeting,  the  two  next  days  we  vifited  fome 
fick  friends,  and  on  feventh  day  were  at  the  month- 
ly-meeting, which  was  in  the  main  fatisfadory ;  on 
hrft  day  the  meeting  was  thought  to  be  the  largeil: 
ever  held  at  this  place,  and  the  Gofpel  being  preach- 
ed in  the  love  of  it  to  the  tendering  the  hearts  of 
many,  the  meeting  ended  in  humble  thankfgiving  to 
the  holy  Author  of  all  good;  next  day  in  company 
with  feveral  friends  of  Fairfax,  1  attended  a  meet^ 
ing  at  Monaquefy,    where  fome  came  who  did  not 
make  religious  profellion  with  us,  which  was  an  in- 
ftructive  tendering  feafon  through  the  Lord*s  good- 
nefs; after  a  meeting  at  Bufn  Creek,  and  another  at 
Pipe  Creek,  I  travelled  to  Gunpowder,  and  attend- 
ed the  quarterly-meeting  for  the  Weftern  fliore  of 
Maryland,  likewife  the  general-meeting  for  worlliip 
on  hrft  day,  at  which  were  feveral  not  of  our  fociety 
whofe  hearts  were  reached  by  the  love  of  truth; 
next  day  I  had  a  meeting  at  the  little  Falls,  and 
from  thence   returned   home,    where  after  flaying 
three  days,  I  went  to  our  quarterly-meeting  at  Lon- 
don  Grove,    the  two  laft  days  of  which  afforded 
fome  cohifort  and  fatisfaftion.     On  the  fourteenth 
of   the  twelfth   month   I   went  to  Wilmington,  on 
wh'fch  day   Margaret  the  \\  ife  of   John  Perry  was 
buried  after  a  ihort  illneis,  I  fpent  part  of  the  even- 
ing  in   his  afflicled  family  to  fatisfaclion,  (laying  in 
the  town  two  days  I  attended  their  monthly-meet- 
ing,   and  thought  there  was  a  want  of  more  mem- 
bers 


OF  JOHN  CHURCHMAN.  i^s 
bers  deeply  baptized  for  the  work  which  appears 
neceffary  in  the  church  at  that  place;  at  this  time 
Deborah  the  daughter  of  David  Ferrifs  being  in  a 
declining  confumptive  ftate,  and  wafting  fad,  I 
vifited  her  to  my  fatisfadion,  fhe  appearing  to  be 
in  a  refigned  humble  frame  of  f[Mrit,  was  an  exam- 
plary  young  woman  whom  I  efteemed ;  then  going 
to  Center  and  HockefTon  meetings,  I  was  at  New- 
Garden  on  firft  day,  which  I  thought  thro'  Divine 
favour  an  inftru£live  profitable  meeting  to  myfelf, 
and  perhaps  to  fome  others;  the  fubjecl  which 
opened  was  the  neceflity  of  not  leaning  to,  or  fol- 
lowing any  man,  but  of  attending  to  the  pure  mo- 
tion, and  fecret  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth 
manifefted  in  the  heart,  in  the  meeknefs,  and 
purity  of  the,  wifdom  from  above,  it  was  that  by 
which  the  churches  were  gathered,  and  the  mem- 
bers, preferved  in  the  unity  of  the  one  bleifed  Spi- 
rit, and  perfect  bond  of  peace  and  good  order. 

I  next  attended  our  preparative  and  monthly- 
meetings,  after  which  was  confined  moftly  at  home 
for  about  a  month  by  a  fever,  during  which  time 
my  mind  was  often  much  humbled  under  a  fenfe  of 
the  prevalence  of  a  dull,  lukewarm  fpirit,  as  to  the 
life  and  power  of  Truth;  earthly  mindednefs,  and 
the  cares  and  cumbers  concerning  the  things  of  this 
prefent  life  having  drawn  the  minds  of  many  into 
death;  I  never  more  clearly  faw  the  neceffity  there 
was  for  us  who  profefs  the  truth,  fmgiy  to  attend 
to  the  gentle  inftruclions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  thereof, 
which  only  doth,  and  ever  will,  lead  and  guide 
into  all  Truth,  and  preferveth  from  thofe  errors  and 
failings  which  are  fo  abundantly  evident  among  us, 
whereby  our  hands  are  weakened  in  refpecl  to  a 
careful  exercife  of  the  difciplint  of  the  church. 


CHAP. 


%T,6         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

CHAP.       VIIL 

fits  Aitcndajicc  of  the  Wejiern  ^larterly -meeting  in 
the  fecond  Month  1773 — The  Spring-jncciing  in 
Fhifadelphia — And  the  Genera!-?neeting  at  Duck 
Creek — 'The  garter ly -meeting  at  Shrew/bury — 
With  feveral  other  ??ieetings  in  New-Jerfey — The 
Spring-jueeting  in  Philadelphia  in  1774. — His  lajl 
Viftt  to  New-Tork — And  Long-Jfland. — His  laji 
attendance  of  the  Yearly -meeting  in  Philadelphia. — - 
His  being  at  the  Spring-meeting  there  in  iJ'JS' — 
And  his  lajl  Journey  to  fundry  Meetings  oti  the 
Eajiern-fhore  of  Maryland. — His  lajl  illnefs  with 
fame  weighty  ExpreJJions  in  that  time,- — His  Death 
and  Burial. 

BEING  fomewhat  recovered  of  my  indlfpofition 
of  body,  I  fat  in  our  feledt  meeting  of  mini- 
flers  ^nd  elders  on  the  firfl  of  the  fecond  month 
1773,  in  which  I  was  comforted  under  a  fenfe  of 
our  being  owned  in  fome  degree  by  the  vifitation  of 
Divine  love,  and  afterwards  attended  our  quarterly- 
meeting  at  London-Grove,  each  fating  whereof 
was  favoured  with  the  continuance  of  heavenly  help, 
to  the  encouragement  of  the  humble  waiters.  I  re- 
turned home  with  thankfulnefs  in  my  mind  to  the 
Lord,  who  had  furnifhed  me  with  flrength  in  my 
weak  date  to  fit  with  my  friends,  in  which  we  ought 
to  be  good  examples;  I  attended  our  own  meeting 
on  the  fifth  and  firfl  days  following,  and  in  the 
fame  week  went  to  Wilmington  to  the  burial  of 
Deborah  Ferrifs  before  mentioned,  after  which,  a 
folhl  and  profitable  meeting  was  held. 

On  the  twenty-fixth  of  the  third  month  I  fet  out 
from  home  in  order  to  attend  our  general  fpring 
meeting  at  Phihuielphia,  but  did  not  get  there  in 
^ime  fov  tj:ie  firll  fitting  thereof^  fuch  of  them  as  I 

dic\ 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         237 

did  attend,  I  thought  were  in  the  main,  times  of 
Divine  favour;  on  my  return  homeward  I  was  at  a 
fmall  meeting  at  Cheiiier,  alfo  the  general  meeting 
at  Wilniington,  and  foon  after  the  general  meeting 
at  Duck  Creek,  and  their  monthly-meeting  preceed- 
ing,  it;  the  meeting  there  on  firfl  day  was  large, 
^nd  tho'  a  mixed  multitude  attended,  it  was  folid 
through  the  overihadoviing  of  heavenly  power,  the 
Lord  was  pieafed  to  open  the  myfteries  of  the  king- 
dom, influencing  my  heart  to  preach  the  Gofpel  in 
the  love  thereof  to  my  humble  admiration,  and 
many  were  tendered,  for  which  renewed  vifitation 
and  favour,  a  facrifice  of  thankfgiving  afcended 
from  the  hearts  of  his  children,  to  the  all  powerful 
and  merciful  God  who  is  worthy  for  ever;  vine 
meeting  on  fecond  day  was  a  time  of  confolation  to 
the  heavy  hearted,  inftruclion  to  the  humble  feek- 
ers,  and  a  feafon  of  ftrengthening  to  the  weak, 
blelfed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  his  mercies 
endure  for  ever:  1  was  next  at  George's  Creek 
meeting,  in  which  friends  were  encouraged,  and 
in  fome  degree  refreflied  divers  not  of  our  fociety 
attending;  the  dodrine  of  perfonal  eledion  and 
reprobation  as  held  by  fome,  was  refuted,  and  it 
was  clearly  pointed  out  wherein  the  election  (food, 
yiz.  hi  Chriji  the  feed^  which  cleaved  unto^  and  cho-" 

fen  by  man^  for  his  true  injirudor  and  leader  by  his 
light  and  witnefs  in  the  heart  as  a  reprover  for  fin^ 
and  fo  followed  and  obeyed^  man  comes  to  know  him- 

felf  elected  in  him,  I  went  home  with  George  Ford 
at   Back  Creek,  and  had  an  opportunity  in  his  fa- 

^mily  I  hope  to  fome  profit. 

Towards  the  fall  of  the  year  I  had  a  draught  in 
my  mind  to  attend  fome  meetings  in  the  Jerfeys, 
particularly  the  quarterly-meeting  at  Shrewfbury, 
of  which  having  acquainted  my  brethren  at  home, 
and  had  there  concurrence,  aft(br  attending  our 
yearly-iiieeting  in  Philadelphia  and  returning  from 

thence, 


^38  Vhe    life    and    travels 

thence,    I  fct  out  in  company  with  my  friend  Sa- 
muel England  on   the  twelfth  of  the  tenth  month, 
but  was  detained  at  Philadelphia  by  a  fever  which 
held  me  feveral  days,   yet  I  fo  far  recovered  as  to 
proceed  on  our  journey,  taking  on  our  way  meet- 
ings at  Mountholly,  at  a  School-houfe  near  Shreve's 
mount  in   upper  Springfield,  in  which  1  had  a  con- 
cern to  warn  the  youth  to  beware  of  Deifm,  and 
to  fliew  the  ground  and  caufe  of  falling  into  that  er- 
ror, alfo  at  upper  Freehold,  and  in  a  friend's  houfe 
near  that  called    Robbins's  meeting;  there  feems  to 
be  a  vifitation  to  the  youth  in  that  place,  to  which 
if  they  are  faithful  that  meeting  may  again  increafe; 
we  reached  the  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders  at 
Shrewfbury,  in  which  truth  owned  the  lovers  there- 
of;    the    public   meetings   on   the   three   following 
days  were  large,    and  thought  to  be  the  mod  quiet 
and    fatisfactory    which   had   been   known  of   late 
years  there;   the  affairs  of  the  difcipline  were,  as  I 
thoucrht,  pretty  well  conduced;  finding  myfelf  not 
clear  of  the  members  of   our  fociety  at  this  place, 
I  therefore   propofed   to   feveral   friends   that   they 
would  favour  me  fo  much  as  to  meet  on  their  week 
day  meeting  day,  which  I  underflood  they  ufually 
had    omitted    in  this   week,    requeuing  that   they 
would  acquaint  their  members  with  my  defire  of 
feeing  them,  their  children,  and  families  together; 
I  therefore  waited  until  fifth  day,  when  they  gene- 
rally met,    which  gave  me  an  opportunity  comfort- 
ably to  clear  myfelf   towards  friends  here,  to  the 
encouragment  of  the  fincere,  being  led  to  fhew  the 
active  members  the  caufe  of  dwarfifhnefs,   the  love 
of   the  world,    and   its   friendfhips,    choaking   the 
gooJ  feed, which  fhould  grow  and  bear  rule:  1  was 
thankful  for  this  opportunity,    and  left  them  with 
the  enjoyment  of   a  quiet   mind;    from  hence  we 
parted  to  Rahway,    had  a  meeting  at  Woodbridge, 
and   another    at  Plainfield,    in   both   which  truth 

owned 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        239 

owned  my  fervice ;  I  thought  there  was  a  tender 
vifitation  renewed  to  friends  in  thofe  parts,  in  the 
fenfe  whereof  I  was  thankful,  and  that  1  had  been 
favoured  with  ftrength  to  pay  them  a  vifit  in  the  love 
of  my  great  and  good  mafter,  may  I  ever  walk 
anfwerable  to  his  manifold  favours,  who  is  praife 
worthy  for  ever!  We  were  next  at  Stonybrook 
meeting,  which  was  made  precious  in  the  renewing 
of  Divine  favour,  and  then  at  Trenton  with  a  peo- 
ple who  have  much  loft  the  life  and  favour  of  truth; 
from  thence  going  to  Byberry  and  Philadelphia,  I 
reached  the  quarterly-meeting,  at  Concord  which  be- 
gan on  the  fixth  of  the  eleventh  month,  the  next  day 
I  went  to  Chichefter,  where  I  was  enabled  to  fpeak 
to  the  ftates  of  the  people  in  the  love  of  truth, 
which  may  be  ufeful  if  remembred  in  a  right  man- 
ner, and  returned  to  the  quarterly-meeting  on  fe- 
cond  day,  which  w^as  comfortable,  the  Divine  pre- 
fence  being  felt,  our  friend  Elizabeth  Robinfon  was 
there,  and  had  good  fervice;  on  third  day  I  attend- 
ed the  general  meeting  at  Chefter,  which  was  poor 
and  dull ;  the  expectations  of  the  people  being  too 
much  outward,  they  were  difappointed ;  then  at- 
tending the  monthly-meeting  at  Wilmington,  tar- 
ried their  meeting  the  next  day,  and  proceeded  to 
out  quarterly-meeting  at  London  Grove,  at  which 
we  had  the  company  of  our  friends  Robert  Walker, 
Elizabeth  Robinfon,  and  Mary  Leaver  from  Great- 
Britain;  it  was  a  feafon  of  refrelhment  and  comfort 
to  many  friends;  then  went  home,  having  travelled 
in  this  journey  about  360  miles. 
^  In  the  third  month  1774,  I  attended  our  general 
fpring-meeting  in  Philadelphia,  the  divers  fitttings 
whereof  were  divinely  favoured ;  and  after  it,  the 
general  meeting  at  Wilmington,  which  was  held 
chiefly  in  filence,  and  on  that  account  remarkable. 
Having  an  engagement  on  my  mind  for  fome 
time  to  vifit  friends  on  Long-Ifland,  with  fome  ad- 

ff  jacent 


^4«5         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

jacent  meetings,  I  laid  it  before  my  brethren,  whc? 
wive  me  their  certificate  for  that  purpofe;  and  on 
the  third  of  the  fifth  month  I  fet  out  on  the  journey, 
having  the  company  of  a  friend  from  Wihnington, 
taking  a  meeting  at  Philadelphia,  we  reached  New- 
York,  attended  their  morning  and  afternoon  meet- 
ings on  hrit  day,  and  had  an  opportunity  with  di- 
vers friends  in  the  evening,  which  was  to  me  (at 
leaii)  inftruclive,  and  1  believe  through  Divine 
goodnefs  profitable  to  fome  others.  We  then 
had  meetings  at  Wefl-Chefler,  Mamaroneck,  and 
the  Purchafe,  the  lafl:  being  a  monthly-meeting; 
thefe  opportunities  tvxre  clofe  and  fearchingj  the 
teilimony  of  Truth  was  encouraging  to  the  welK 
minded,  but  very  fharp  to  the  formalifls,  and  my 
mind  was  made  thankful  for  the  blelling  of  peace 
in  the  difcharge  of  my  duty.  Vv^e  next  attended 
meetings  at  Fluihing  on  Long-lfland,  Cowneck, 
Weilbury,  Matinicock,  Sequitogue  and  Bethpage, 
then  at  Newtown,  the  monthly-meeting  at  Weft- 
bury,  and  the  quarterly-meeting  at  Flufliing,  where 
the  yearly-meeting  began  the  next  day,  which  held 
four  days,  and  on  the  whole  I  believe  it  may  be  faid, 
that  the  authority  of  Truth  was  in  fome  good  de- 
gree felt  to  keep  down  forward  fpirits  both  in  the 
miniflry  and  dilcipline,  which  was  caufe  of  thank- 
fulnefs  to  the  Lord  who  rules  among  his  children, 
and  is  worthy  of  all  praife  for  ever;  here  I  had  the 
company  of  our  dear  friends  Robert  Walker,  Eliz^- 
llobinfon,  and  Sufanna  Lightfoot,  who  intending 
for  Rhode-Iiland,  I  parted  with  them,  and  went  to 
the  monthly-meeting  at  New-York,  which  through 
merciful  regard  was  comfortable;  from  thence  go- 
ing to  Rahway,  had  a  meeting  at  i^lainfield  which 
was  fatisfador'y  through  the  extendings  of  Divine 
favour;  then  at  Kingwood  on  firfl  day,  from  whence 
crolling  Delaware  we  were  at  Buckingham  monthly 
meeting,  where  I  thought  the  true  iSpirit  of  dilci- 
pline 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN,        241 

pHtie  appeared  to  be  much  wanting  in  many;  h^re 
my  companion  returned  homewards ;  the  next  day 
I  was  at  Wright's-town  monthly-meeting,  which 
through  the  Lord's  blelTmg  was  edifying  to  many, 
and  we  parted  in  peace  and  fweetnefs  of  Spirit,  the 
day  following  I  attended  the  meeting  at  Pine-ftreet 
in  Philadelphia,  alfo  that  at  High-flreet  on  fifth 
day,  which  was  a  precious  opportunity  to  fuch  who 
loved  to  live  near  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  from  thence 
I  went  to  vifit  my  brother-in-law  Daniel  Brown  near 
Chefter,  was  at  Newtown  meeting  on  firfl  day, 
and  at  an  afternoon  meeting  near  Amos  Yarnal's, 
then  went  to  the  general  meetings  at  Goflien,  and 
Uwchlan,  after  which  taking  London-Grove  meet-^ 
ing,  I  came  home,  having  rode  in  this  journey 
about  600  miles,  and  feeling  a  degree  of  thankful- 
nefs  that  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  give  me  ability  to 
perform  it. 

I  tarried  much  at  home  the  remaining  part  of 
this  fummer;  on  the  twenty-firfl  of  the  ninth 
month,  I  fet  out  in  order  to  attend  the  yearly-'meet-^ 
ing  at  Philadelphia,  which  was  very  large  in  the 
feveral  fittings,  continued  a  full  week,  and  I  thought 
it  the  mod  folid  and  weighty  in  tranfading  the  af- 
fairs of  truth  that  I  ever  knew:  The  teftimony 
thereof  againft  Have  keeping  was  wonderfully  ex- 
alted, thro*  the  power  and  love  of  God  who  is  wor^ 
thy  of  all  praife  for  ever.  In  my  way  home  I  was 
at  Providence  meeting,  in  which  the  teftimony  of 
truth  went  forth  by  way  of  warning  to  the  luke- 
warm and  declining  profeifors,  and  of  encourag- 
ment  to  the  youth. 

*'  Our  general  meeting  at  Nottingham  next  day 
was  large,  and  I  hope  profitable  to  fome;  after 
which  having  a  defire  to  be  at  the  general  meeting 
at  Csecil  in  Maryland,  I  left  home  on  the  feventh 
of  the  tenth  month^  was  at  the  quarterly-meeting 
of  minifters  and  alaers  there  on  firfl  day  morning, 

I  i  which 


cL'42        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

which  was  profitably  inllructive  through  Divine 
Goodnefs;  two  public  meetings  for  worfliip  were 
held  on  firft  and  fecond  days,  both  large  and  folidj. 
fevcral  other  friends  from  Pennfylvania  were  there, 
the  bulinefs  oi  the  quarterly-meeting  ended  on  third 
day  morning,  on  the  fame  day  we  had  a  comforta- 
ble public  meeting,  from  which  we  parted  with 
fr  ends  in  much  love  and  nearnefs.  On  the  follow- 
ing tlay  was  their  monthly-meeting,  to  attend  which 
feveral  of  us  ilaid;  then  having  a  defire  to  fee 
friends  at  Chefter-River,  I  went  to  their  week  day 
meeting,  Nicholas  Wain  bearing  me  company;  the 
meeting  was  large,  and  through  the  Lord's  Good- 
nels,  it  was,  I  believe,  made  profitable  to  many; 
then  taking  meetings  at  Safiafrafs,  Duck- Creek, 
Motherkill,  and  Little-Creek,  the  two  lafl  being 
their  preparative  meeting  at  each  place,  the  next 
day  V  as  their  felect  meeting  of  miniflers  and  elders, 
and  their  monthly-meeting  the  day  following,  which, 
with  divers  other  friends  from  Penjifylvania,  we 
attended,  and  on  the  firfh  and  fecond  days  of  the 
next  week  the  general  meeting  at  Little-Creek: 
I  believe  there  is  a  renewed  vifitation  to  friends, 
and  fome  others  hereaway;  but  formal  profelTors 
at  prefent  appear  to  be  as  flumbling  blocks  by  join- 
ing with  the  fpirit  of  the  world;  I  returned  home 
with  an  ealy  mind. 


Weaknefs  and  infirmity  of  body  gradually  in- 
creafing  upon  our  beloved  friend,  he  frequently 
mentioned,  that  many  years  pad,  it  was  unexpeded 
to  him  to  live  to  his  feventieth  year,  and  to  be  fa- 
voured with  health  and  (Irength  fufficient  to  travel 
fo  much  as  he  lately  had,  faying,  that  now  he 
fcarcely  thought  much  more  would  be  required  of 
bim;  he  however  attended  the  weftern  quarterly- 
meeting  in  the  eleventh  month  this  year,  and  in  the 
fecond  month  1775,  ^^  ^^^^^  which  he  was  favoured 

with 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         243 

•with  ftrength  and  clearnefs  to  fpeak  to  the  ftate  of 
the  church,  as  well  in  fome  of  the  feled,  as  the 
more  pubhc  meetings,  tending  to  the  edification 
and  comiort  of  many. 

In  the  third  month  1775,  he  alfo  attended  the 
general  fpring-meeting  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  fome 
of  the  fittings  thereof  was  much  favoured,  on  his 
return  home  from  thence,  he  was  at  Wilmington* 
general  meeting,  in  company  with  our  friends  Ro- 
bert Walker  and  Elizabeth  Robinfon  from  Great- 
Britain. 

His  lad  journey  was  on  a  vifit  to  mod  of  the 
meetings  on  the  Eaftern-fliore  of  Maryland,  and  to 
attend  the  yearly-meeting  at  Thirdhaven  in  Talbot 
County,  for  which  purpofe  he  fet  out  from  his  own 
habitation  on  the  twenty-fecond  of  the  fifth  month, 
having,  according  to  his  ufual  care,  obtained  the 
concurrence  of  his  brethren,  and  was  accompanied 
by  a  young  man  (William  Jackfon)  a  member  of 
New-Garden  monthly-meeting,  who  has  given  the 
following  account  of  this  journey. 

*'  Our  firfl  days  ride  was  to  George  Ford's  near 
Back:Creek,  the  next  morning  being  damp  and 
foggy,  was  very  trying  to  his  v/eak  conftitution,  yet 
we  rode  forty  five  miles  that  day  to  Hannah  Tur- 
ner's in  Queen  Ann's  County,  which  was  thought 
to  be  a  means  of  bringing  on  him  a  diforder  which 
proved  painful  and  affliding,  and  increafed  till  near 
his  end,  being  advanced  in  age,  his  bodily  infirmi- 
ties appeared  great,  but  the  fervency  of  his  mind 
for  the  promotion  of  truth  and  righteoufnefs,  and 
his  care  as  a  Father  in  Ifrael,  was  truly  as  preva- 
lent as  ever.  On  the  twenty-fourth  of  the  month 
he  went  to  the  preparative  meeting  at  Tuckahoa, 
wherein  he  was  concerned  to  exhort  fome  to  faith- 
fulnefs  in  times  of  temptation  and  tryal,  that  they 
might  experience  an  overcoming,  and  be  enabled 
to  ilrengthen  their  brethren.  Next  day  we  attend- 
ed 


244         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

ed  Thirdhaven  monthly-meeting,  in  which  he  was 
qualified  to  fpeak  inflrudively  to  the  members 
thereof,  particularly  to  fuch  who  were  incumbered 
with  much  care  about  the  things  of  this  life,  things, 
which  although  lawful  in  themfelves,  yet  when  fuf- 
fcred  to  engrofs  the  minds  and  afieclions  of  people, 
obllrucl.  a  progrefs  in  religion.  On  the  twenty-fixth 
a  meeting  at  Choptank  was  a  time  of  heavy  exer- 
cife  on  account  of  a  lifelefs,  lukewarm,  indifferent 
fituation  of  mind,  which  feemed  to  attend  divers 
there  affembled ;  the  next  day  we  attended  a  burial 
at  Thirdhaven,  on  which  occafion  a  meeting  was 
held,  and  he  laboured  honefUy  to  aroufe  thofe  that 
lived  in  the  neglecl  of  making  timely  preparation 
for  their  lafl  awful  and  folemn  change:  On  the 
twenty-eighch  we  were  at  Tuckahoa  meeting,  and 
on  fecond  day  at  the  Bay-fide,  where  were  but  few 
of  our  fociety,  but  fevcral  others  attended  who  be- 
haved foberly,  and  fome  of  the  younger  fort  were 
reached  and  tendered  by  Truth's  Teftimony,  to 
W'hom  he  was  led  inftru^lively  to  fliew,  That  they 
Tieed  not  give  their  money  for  that  which  is  not  breads 
nor  their  labour  for  that  ivhich  fatisficth  not,  and 
opened  to  them  the  way  of  life  and  falvation  which 
is  attained  through  the  Spirit,  or  free  gift  of  Grace 
that  is  come  upon  all  men  for  juflificafion,  fo  that  if 
they  attended  to  the  dilates  thereof  in  their  own 
hearts,  it  was  fuflicient  to  inflrud  them  in  the  way 
of  Godlinefs,  but  when  people  go  from,  and  ne- 
glect this  inward  teacher,  feeking  to,  or  depending 
on  learned  men,  they  err.'* 

"  Next  day  we  had  a  religious  opportunity  in  the 
family  of  John  Bartlett,  and  on  fourth  day  went 
to  Tuckahoa  meeting  again,  where  he  had  to  fpeak 
of  tli(j  fuHiciency  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  in- 
confiflericy  of  people's  living  in  a  profeflion  thereof 
without  being  found  in  the  faith,  or  fully  believing 
in  this  principle  as  iufficicnt  for  falvation.    We  next 

attended 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.         245 

attended  the  meetings  at  Thirdhaven,  and  Marfhy- 
Creek ;  the  yearly-meeting  began  on  feventh  day, 
and  continued  until  the  fourth  of  the  following 
week,  which  altho'  he  was  feeble  and  unwell,  he 
attended  the  feveral  fittings  thereof,  being  nine  in 
the  five  days,  and  the  laft  held  feven  hours;  he  was 
enabled  to  appear  for  the  caufe  and  teftimony  of 
truth,  both  in  the  meetings  for  worfliip  and  difci» 
pline,  and  like  the  good  fcribe  well  inftrucled 
in  the  things  of  the  kingdom,  had  to  bring  forth 
out  of  the  treafury,  things  new  and  old,  profitable 
and  inftrudive,  being  feafoned  with  the  love  and 
virtue  of  truth:  After  the  meeting  on  fourth  day, 
we  went  to  the  houfe  of  Jofeph  Berry,  w^here  next 
morning  had  a  religious  opportunity  in  the  family, 
and  the  day  following  a  meeting  in  (^een  Ann's 
Foreft,  from  whence  we  went  to  Jofliua  Vanfant's; 
here  he  was  very  poorly,  having  taken  fome  frefh 
cold;  the  next  day  being  very  warm,  he  was  much 
fpent  with  riding,  and  faid,  as  he  had  at  feveral 
times  before  on  this  journey,  "  that  he  believed  it 
would  be  his  lafl,  if  he  lived  to  reach  home,  which 
at  times  he  thought  feemed  unhkely."  On  firfl  day 
the  eleventh  of  the  fixth  month  he  had  a  meeting 
in  a  School-houfe  at  Back-Creek,  among  a  people 
who  behaved  with  much  fobriety,  which  was  a 
fatisfadory  time,  very  inftruftive  and  open  for  doc- 
trine, and  that  evening  reached  home,  having  tra- 
velled in  this  journey  about  290  miles." 

On  the  fourteenth  of  the  fixth  month  he  went  to 
^the  week  day  meeting  at  London-Grove,  to  meet 
with  a  committee  of  our  quarterly-meeting  on  par- 
ticular bufmefs,  and  returned  to  our  meeting  at 
Nottingham  the  next  day,  on  the  firfl:  day  of  the 
week  following,  was  there  alfo,  in  the  fame  w^eek 
he  attended  our  preparative  and  monthly-meetings, 
but  a  fever  daily  increafmg  upon  him,  he  was  af- 
terwards chiefly  confined  at  home. 


•  46         The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

On  the  fou^'th  of  the  fevcnth  month  he  cxprefTed 
lihnfelf  thus,  "  I  am  glad  that  I  am  at  home,  I 
have  ever  found  it  befl  when  my  fervice  abroad 
was?>)ver,  to  get  home  as  quick  as  might  be,  and 
though  I  have  felt  great  inward  poverty,  and  weak- 
nefs  lince  my  hiit  journey,  fo  that  I  can  neither  fee 
my  beginning,  nor  ending,  but  feem  as  if  all  were 
hidden,  yet  I  hope  if  Providence  ihall  fee  meet  to 
remove  me  at  this  time,  fome  light  will  appear 
again,  and  that  it  will  be  otherwife  before  I  go.'* 

At  another  time  he  fpake  to  this  purpoie,  "  I 
''  have  found  myfelf  much  flripped  as  to  a  fenfe  of 
''  good,  and  tried  with  poverty  many  days.  I  iup- 
"  pofe  I  have  been  accounted  by  fome,  as  one  of 
"  the  better  fort  of  people,  but  have  feen  great 
"  occafion  to  beware  of  a  difpofition  that  would 
*'  feek  to  feed  upon  the  praife  or  commendations 
*'  of  others ;  a  carnal  felfifh  fpirit  is  very  apt  to 
"  prefent,  and  creep  in  here  if  poffible,  and  I  have 
"  feen  it  hurt  many  who  have  had  right  beginnings, 
*'  it  always  introduceth  dimnefs,  and  oppreflion, 
'^  to  the  pure,  precious,  innocent  life  of  truth, 
"  which  only  groweth  up  into  dominion,  through 
"  deep  abafenient  of  foul,  and  the  entire  death  of 

"  felf. 

At  feveral  other  times  he  fignified  to  this  effei^, 
"  My  prefent  baptifm  of  aflliftion  hath  tended  to 
"  the  further  refinement  of  my  nature,  and  to  the 
*•  bringing  me  more  perteclly  into  the  image  of 
"  my  mailer." 

He  frequently  expreffed  his  full  fubmilTion  to  the 
Divine  Will  either  refpeding  life  or  death,  feveral 
times  faying,  "  I  now  experience  my  life  and  my 
will  to  be  flain,  and  I  have  no  will  left." 

In  the  two  lad  weeks  of  his  time  it  appeared  that 
his  dehre  and  hope,  mentioned  in  the  forepart  of 
his  illnefs,  for  hght  again  to  appear  was  fully  anfwer- 
qd  by  the  frefh  influence  thereof,  fo  that  altho'  his 

pain 


OF    JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        247 

pain  was  often  great  he  would  many  times  in  a  day 
break  forth  into  a  kind  of  melody  with  his  voice, 
without  uttering  words,  which  as  he  fometimes  in- 
timated was  an  involuntary  afpiration  of  his  foul  in 
praife  to  the  Lord  who  had  again  been  pleafed  to 
fhine  forth  in  brightnefs  after  many  days  of  poverty 
and  deep  baptifm,  which  tho'  painful  had  proved 
beneficial  to  him,  being  a  means  of  further  purify- 
ing from  the  dregs  of  nature,  faying  he  was  at 
times  afraid  to  difcover  that  melody  in  the  hear- 
ing of  fome  that  vifited  him,  left  they  could  not 
comprehend  its  meaning,  and  might  therefore  mif- 
conflrue  it. 

On  fecond  day  morning  the  feventeenth  of  the 
feventh  month  being  afked  by  a  friend  how  he  was, 
he  replied,  "  I  am  here  in  the  body  yet^  and  when  I  go 
out  of  it  I  hope  there  is  nothing  but  -peace ^^^  and  foon 
after  further  faid,  "  /  have  Jeen  that  all  the  buJUes, 
and  noifes  that  are  now  in  the  world  will  end  in  con- 
fufioUy  and  our  young  men  that  know  not  an  ejiabliflo- 
ment  in  the  Truth  and  the  Lord's  fear  for  a  ballajl 
will  be  caught  in  a  trying  momerit^*  at  another  time 
he  faid,  "  I  feel  nothing  but  pcace^  having  endeavoured 
hontftly  to  difcharge  myfelf  in  public^  and  privately 
to  individuals  as  I  apprehended  was  required ^  and 
if  it  be  the  Lord's  will  that  I  fhould  go  now^  I  fhall 
be  releafed  from  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  exercife^ 
which  I  believe  friends  who  are  left  behind  will  have 
to  pafs  through,^' 

On  the  twentieth  of  the  fame  month  he  thus  ex- 
prefTed  himfelf,  "  /  love  friends  who  abide  in  the 
truth  as  much  as  ever  I  did^  and  I  feel  earneft  breath- 
ings to  the  Lord^  that  there  may  be  fuch  raifcd  up 
in  the  cjjurch  who  may  go  forth  in  hwnility^  fweetnefs^ 
and  life^  clear  of  all  fuperfuity  i?i  expre^ons  and 
otherwife^  flanding  for  the  teftimony^  that  they  may 
he  ufeful  to  the  church  in  thefe  difficult  times,'' 

About 


^48        The    LIFE    and    TRAVELS 

About  three  days  before  his  death  feveral  friends 
being  in  his  room  he  fpake  as  follows,  "  Friends 
in  the  beginning,  if  they  had  health  and  liberty, 
were  not  canly  diverted  frOm  paying  their  tribute 
of  A\oilhip  to  the  Almighty  on  week  days  as  well 
as  iirlt  days,  but  after  a  while  when  outward  fuffer- 
ings  ceafed,  life  and  zeal  decaying,  eafe  and  the 
fpirit  of  the  world  took  place  with  many,  and  thus 
it  became  cuftomary  for  one  or  two  out  of  a  family 
to  attend  meetings,  and  to  leave  their  children 
much  at  home;  parents  alio  if  worldly  concerns 
were  in  the  way  could  neglect  their  week  day  meet- 
ings fometimes;  yet  be  willing  to  hold  the  name, 
and  plead  excufe  becaufe  of  a  bufy  time,  or  the 
like,  but  I  believe  that  fuch  a  departure  from  pri- 
mitive integrity  ever  did,  and  ever  will,  occafion  a 
withering  from  the  life  of  true  religion." 

To  a  friend  w^ho  came  to  vifit  him  on  the  twenty- 
firfl  of  the  feventh  month  he  faid,  "  I  feel  that 
which  lives  beyond  death  and  the  grave^  which  is 
now  an  inexprejfible  comfort  to  me  after  a  time  of  deep 
haftifm  that  I  have  pajjed  through^  I  believe  my  being 
continued  here  is  in  the  will  of  Providence^  and  I  am 
fully  refigned'^ 

His  illnefs  increafmg  he  faid  but  little  on  feventh 
day  the  twenty-fecond;  in  the  afternoon  he  was  ve- 
ry low,  and  fpeechlefs  about  twelve  hours;  early  on 
firO:  day  morning  he  recruited  a  little,  and  gave  di- 
reclions  about  his  coffin  to  a  friend  who  fat  up  w^ith 
him  being  a  joiner;  continuing  rather  eafier  the 
forepart  of  that  day  and  appearing  chearful,  he  ex- 
prelled  divers  weighty  fentences  like  farewell  ex- 
hortations to  fome  who  came  to  fee  him;  on  fecond 
day  morning  he  fat  up  a  conhderable  time,  in  the 
afternoon  he  appeared  lively  and  fenfible,  tho'  very 
weak,  thus  exprclling  himfelf,  "  I  am  much  rcfrejhed 
with  my  Majlcr^s  fwcet  air^  I  feel  more  life,  more 
light,    more  love,    and  fwcet nefs   than  ever  before,^* 

and 


OF   JOHN    CHURCHMAN.        249 

and  often  mentioned  the  Divine  refrefhment  and 
comfort  he  felt  flowing  like  a  pure  dream  to  his  in- 
ward man,  faying  to  thofe  who  were  with  him, 
"  /  may  tell  you  of  it^  but  you  cannot  feel  it  as  I  do," 

In  the  evening  a  young  perfon  coming  into  the 
room,  looking  at  her  earneilly  and  affeSionately, 
he  faid,  "  Deborah  arofe  a  mother  in  Ifrael^^  and 
fhortly  after,  "  ne  fweetnefs  that  I  feel ^"  then  his 
difficulty  of  breathing  increafed,  and  being  turned 
once  or  twice  he  requefled  to  be  helped  up,  and 
was  placed  in  his  chair,  in  which  he  expired  about 
the  ninth  hour  on  fecond  day  night  the  t  venty- 
fourth  of  the  feventh  month  1775,  being  aged  near 
feventy,  and  minifter  about  forty-two  years,  and 
was  buried  on  the  twenty-fixth  in  friend's  Grave- 
yard at  Eafl-Nottingham,  a  large  concourfe  of  peo- 
ple attending,  after  which  a  foiemn  meeting  was 
held. 


THE      END. 


K  k. 


■^50        TESTIMONY    Concerning 

"The  following  Memorial  of  our  beloved  Friend  ■  Jofepjj 
White ^    IV ho  was  endued  with  an  eminent  Gift  in 
the  Minijiry,  and  uniformly  concerned  for  the  well- 
fare  of  the  Churches^  is  here  fubjoined  at  the  defire 
of  divers  Friends^    which  as  no  account  of  his  La- 
bours and  Vifits  in  the  fervice  of  the  Gofpel  appears 
to  be  prcfervcd  by  hi?nfelf    may  in  fome  meafure 
fupply  that  Deficiency^  and  we  apprehend  will  be  an 
injirudive  and  acceptable  Appendage  to  the  forego- 
ing Journal,    tending  to  revive  and  keep  in   Re- 
membrance his  pious  Life^  and  the  near  Fellowfhip 
of  his    Brethren   with   him^    and  further  animate 
jurvivors   to  Faithfulnefs  in   the  difcharge  of  their 
fever al  Religious  duties,  in  order  that  they  alfo  may 
be  fivoured  zoith  a  well  grounded  Hope  of  attaining 
the  like  Happy  End* 

A  TESTIMONY  from  the  Falls  Monthly- 
Meeting  in  Bucks  County,  concerning  our 
Friend  Joseph  White. 

AS  the  Memory  of  the  juft  is  pronounced  blefled, 
we  think   it  expedient  to  give  forth  a  tefli- 
mony  concerning  this  our  efteemed  friend. 

He  was  born  at  the  Falls  the  twenty- eighth  of 
the  eleventh  month  17 12-13;  being  .young  when 
his  father  died,  he  was  brought  up  under  the  care 
of  his  relations  and  friends:  And  through  the  early 
extendings  of  Heavenly  regard  whilfc  young,  and 
attending  to  the  teachings  of  Divine  Grace  he  was 
lead  and  preferved  from  many  of  the  folHes  and 
extravagances  incident  to  unthinking  youth.  About 
the  twentieth  year  of  his  age  he  appeared  in  pub- 
lic teltimony  in  our  religious  meetings,  and  con- 
tinuing in  a  good  degree  faithful  to  the  meafure  of 
Light  and  Grace  communicated,  he  grew  in  his 
gift,  and  became  a  lively  and  able  miniller. 

He 


J  O  S  E  P,  H      WHITE,        251 

He  was  naturally  of  an  open  cheerful  difpofitiori, 
and  honefliy  concerned  for  the  promotion  of  piety 
and  virtue,  and  for  the  fupport  and  maintenance' 
of  good  order  in  the  church;  for  which  leiVice  he 
was  eminently  gifted,  and  truly  ferviceable  amongft 
us,  being  often  concerned  that  the  authority  /of 
Truth  might  be  kept  up  in  all  our  meetings  of  dif? 
ciphne,  and  that  true  judgment  might  be  placed 
upon  the  diforderly  and  irreclaimable.  He  was  ex- 
amplary  in  his  life  and  converfation,  a  diligent-and 
timely  attender  of  our  religious  meetings  when 
health  of  body  permitted;  and  was  often  favoured 
therein  in  public  teftimony  and  fupplication,  much 
to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the  truly  humble 
waiters.  And  altho'  he  had  a  large  gift  in  the  mi- 
niftry,  he  many  times  fat  meetings  in  filence,  wait- 
ing upon  the  Lord,  not  being  hafly  or  forward  in 
the  jexercife  of  his  gift;  but  careful  not  to  minifter 
without  the  Heavenly  Life  and  Power  that  firfl  raif- 
ed  him  up  in  the  miniftry,  whereby  his  public  fer- 
vice  was  greatly  to  the  confolation  and  refrefliment 
of  many. 

He  feveral  times  had  a  concern  to  vifit  the  churches 
abroad,  and  with  the  concurrence  of  this  meeting, 
vifited  many  of  the  meetings  of  friends  in  this  and 
feveral  of  the  adjacent  provinces,  and  once  through 
fome  parts  of  Maryland,  Virginia  and  North-Caro- 
lina: And  having  for  fome  confiderable  time  been 
under  a  weighty  concern  to  pay  a  religious  vifit  to 
friends  in  feveral  parts  of  Europe,  he  with  the 
concurrence  and  unity  of  his  ftiends  took  fliipping 
for  that  purpofe  in  the  year  1758,  and  after  a  Ihort 
palTage  landed  in  England,  and  having  pretty  gene- 
rally vifited  friends  meetings  in  England  and  Ire- 
land, and  fom^e  parts  of  Wales,  he  returned  to  his 
family  and  friends,  having  been  from  home  in 
truth's  fervice  near  three  years:  And  at  his  return 
from  thefe  vifits  produced    certificates  of  friends 

unity 


/^ 


252         TESTIMONY    Concerning 

unity  and  good  farisladion  with  him,  and  his  pub^ 
lick  fervice  amongft  them. 

He  was  divers  times  appointed  and  engaged  in 
|:he  fervice  of  vifiting  families,  being  well  qualified 
for  that  weighty  fervice. 

He  much  loved  the  company  and  converfation  of 
his  friends;  was  a  loving  and  affectionate  hufband, 
a  tender  parent  and  a  good  neighbour,  generally 
beloved  by  his  friends  and  others  that  knew  him, 
being  in  feveral  refpefts  ufeful  and  ferviceable  in  the 
neighbourhood  where  he  lived. 

He  was  attended  from  his  youth  at  times,  with 
a  pain  at  his  brcafl,  with  intermiflions  of  health, 
fometimes  for  years,  and  at  other  times  but  fhort; 
but  as  he  advanced  further  in  age,  intermilBons  of 
health  grevv  fhort  and  pain  encreafed,  which  brought 
on  other  bodily  infirmities,  which  he  bore  with 
patience  and  refignation,  often  craving  he  might 
not  be  off  his  watch  \Ahen  his  pains  were  exquifite, 
nor  his  faith  fail  in  the  time  of  trial,  believing  it 
to  be  the  goodnefs  of  God,  through  his  thus  deal- 
ing with  him,  more  and  more  to  wean  him  from 
all  outward  connedions  and  neareft  ties  of  nature, 
that  being  as  the  pure  gold,  refined  through  the 
furnace,  he  might  with  triumph  join  the  redeemed 
that  were  gone  before,  which  he  at  times  had  a 
foretafte  and  evidence  of;  but  the  time  when,  as 
he  himfclf  fometimes  expreifed,  he  did  not  then  fee, 
believing  it  to  be  confident  with  Divine  Wifdom  to 
keep  it  hid  from  him. 

The  latter  part  of  his  time  for  feveral  months, 
he  flcpt  but  little  in  the  night  feafon,  being  at  times 
engaged  in  reverent  interceflions  and  Divine  con- 
templation, and  appeared  to  be  waiting  lor  the  fo- 
Icmn  moment. 

He  lived  in  the  compafs  of  the  Falls  particular 
meeting  until  a  few  years  before  his  death,  and 
then  removed  to  Makcfield,  (a  branch  of  the  fame 

inonthlv 


JOSEPH      WHITE.         253 

monthly-meeting,)  and  having  for  fome  months  felt 
ilrong  defires  (if  favoured  with  health)  to  go  to  the 
Falls  meeting,  and  on  a  monthly-meeting  day  fet 
out  to  go  there;  but  the  weather  being*  cold 'an» 
he  in  a  weak  (late  of  health,  foon  fQur^d  hitn^eif 
unable  to  perform  the  journey,  and  returned  i\ome. 
But  fome  time  after  feeling  his  bodily  ftrength  fome- 
what  reftored,  and  love  renewed,  he  fet  out',  in 
company  with  his  v/ife,  one  firfl  day  morning,  and^ 
got  to  the  meeting  where  he  was  favoured  with  an 
open  time  in  publick  tellimony,  much  to  the  fatif- 
fadion  of  thofe  prefent.  After  the  meeting  was 
over  and  friends  gone  out,  a  friend  being  defirous 
of  fpeaking  to  him,  not  feeing  him  out  of  doors, 
returned  into  the  houfe,  and  found  him  fitting  on 
a  feat,  unable  to  move  without  help;  the  friend 
affilled  him,  and  took  him  to  his  houfe,  where  he 
was  taken  care  of:  The  fit  being  of  the  paralytick 
kind,  was  much  more  favourable  than  at  fome  other 
times,  tho'  it  continued  ebbing  and  flowing  for  feve- 
ral  hours ;  in  which  time  he  exprefled  feveral  things, 
fome  of  which  being  then  taken  down,  are  nearly 
as  follows. 

Being  afked  by  his  fon  Samuel  how  it  was  with 
him;  he  anfwered,  "  I  dont  know  but  that  I  a?n  near 
my  end.     My  defire  at  this  time  for  thee  is,  that  thou 
feek  unto  the  Lord  for  aj/tftance,  to  govern  thee  in  thy 
conduct  in  this  fiuduating  life,  for  I  have  found  him 
to  be  a  fure  help  and  counfellor  to  me ;  and  if  thou  fol- 
low after  him  171  truth  and  fincerity ,  as  I  have  endea- 
njoured  to  do,  he  will  be  unto  thee  a  fufficient  direBor, 
a  leacher  that  cannot  be  removed  into  a  corner:  I 
have    not    been    anxious   to  gather  a  portion  of  this 
world,  nor  make  to  myfelf  mammon  of  unrighteoiifnefs y 
for  I  think  1  have  feen  a  fnare  that  has  attended 
many  young  people  on  thefe  accounts^      I  have  ever 
from  my  youth  had  a  defire  to  be  more  in  fubftance  than 
infhew:  Let  me  appear  as  I  might  in  the  fight  of  men, 

*  their 


V    • 

^•254-         TESTIMONY    CoNOER.NiNa 

their  pva'ife  I  fought  not  for ;  but  I  have  fought  the, 
Jx)nour  of  God^  therefore  there  is  a  place  where  no 
trouble  jhall  annoy  ^  prepared  for  me  as  a  reward  for 
m'eifience:*Tou  that  jlaj^  be  7nore  humble^  and  when 
TrlMe  awaits  you^  look  not  upon  nor  trvfl  to  the  arm 
cf  fltjj.i  for  ajjyiance^  but  flay  yourfelves^  upon  him  who 
fuffercd  for  ^you^  for  me^  and  for  all  mankind;  for  I 
hav5  for  fome  time  believedy  and  lived  in  the  hopes 
thereof^  and  am  now  in  mcafure  confirmed^  of  more 
glorious  things  yet  to  be  revealed  to  the  church  of 
Chrijl^  and  that  further  and  greater  difcoveriis.  will 
yet  be  made^  with  rcfpccl  to  the  Chrijiian  Religion 
than  ever  yet  has  beenfince  the  apo/iafy,^^ 

And  after  a  fliort  paufe  he  broke  forth  in  thefe 
expreilions,  "  'The  door  is  open,  I  fe(^  ^^  innumerable 
company  of  faint s,   of  Angels^   and  of  the   Spirits  of 
jufi  ?neny  which  I  long  to  be  unbodied  to  be  with^   but 
not  my  wilU  but  thy  will  be  done  0  Lord!    I  cannot 
utter  nor  my  tojigue  exprefs,  what  I  feel  of  that  Light  y 
Lfe  and  Love  that  attends  me,  which  the  world  can- 
not give,  neither  can  it  take  away  from  me.     My  fins 
are  wafl^ed  away  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  that  was 
Jlain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world:  All  rags  and 
filthinefs  are  taken  away,    and  in  room  thereof  love 
and  good  will  for  all  j?iankind:  0  that  we  may  become 
more  united  in  the  church  ?niHtant,  and  nearer  re  fern- 
hlc  the  church  triumphant !    Q  that  we  all  might  make 
fuch  an  end  as  I  have  in  profpccl,  for  its  all  Light, 
all  Life,  all  Love  and  all  Peace,  the  light  that  I  fee 
is  more  glorious  than  the  Sun  in  the  Fir?na?nent',   come 
Lord  Jefus  Chrifi,   come  when  thou  pleafes,  thy  fer- 
vant  is  ready  and  willing;  into  thy  hands  I  commit  my 
fpirit,  not  my  will,  but  thy  will  be  done  0  Lord/  Let 
^^S^hls  7Uortal  body  be  committed  to  the  dufl^  be  with  me, 
with  my  children  and  my  grand-children ;  be  with  all 
them  that  love  thee,  that  love  thy  appearance.     0  the 
pains  thai  I  feel,    that  attend  this  mortal  body,  they 
arc  more  comely  to  me  than  jeivcls !    I  rejoice  in  my 


JOJEPH      WHITE.         255 

fighs  and  groank  for  to  me  they  are  moft  melodious; 
I  am  near  to  eiwr  that  harmony  with  Mofes  and  the 
Lamb,  where  tky  cry  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  I  cannot  ex^ 
prefs  the  joy  WeeL  My  heart  (if  it  were  pojfiblc ) 
would  break  fd^  jo^ :  If  any  enquire  after  me,  after 
my  end,  let  thhi  kiozu  all  is  well  with  me,''^ 

Many  mord  weighty  cxprefiions  he  fpoke,  •which 
not  being  takin  iown,  cannot  be  recollecled. 

The  next  l^^  his  pain  abating,  and  finding  him- 
felf   fomewhejt  :eheved  from  his  dilbrder,    he  was 
;aken  to  hisfc^vn  houfe,    where   he  remained  in  a 
>^ak  (late  of  lealth  for  lometime,  being  unable  to 
go  much  aK>ad.     And  one  night  fome  ihort  time 
befcre  his  i^ath,  his  pain  had  been  fliarp  the  fore- 
part (if  the  ight,  but  the  latter  part  it  abating,  his 
wife  lay  dvin  by  him,     and  fell  afleep,  but^he  ae 
ufual   fiep'not,    but   after  fometime  called  to  his 
wife   in   t:Te  words:    "   My  dear,   I  believe  I  mufi 
take  my  ave  of  thee,  ■  I 'have  never  feen  my  end  till 
now^.icd  now  I  fee  its  near,  and  the  Holy  Angels  en- 
xkfme  around,  waiting  to  receive  me  f'*  his  wife  afk- 
€  him  if   (he  ihould  call  up  the  children,  he  faid, 
lie  did  not  fee  any  thing   further  he  had  to  fay  to 
them,    except  to  his  fon  Jofeph  who  being  called, 
and  he  havmg  exprefl  what  he  had  on  his  mind, 
was  much  fpent,  and  appeared  as  tho'  he  was  near 
his  defired  pert;    but  after  fome  time  he  revived, 
with  thefe  wor^s,  "  Life  is  yet  Jlrong  in  me  and  will 
not  yield f^    thus  he  continued  the  few  concluding 
days,  waiting  in  rtfignation  and  retirednefs  of  miiid, 
until  the  repeated  returns  of  the  paralytick  cdm- 
f)laint    reduced    his  faculties    and    fenfes    fo,    l{ia( 
he  knew  not  what  vas  done  for  fome  days, 
departed  in  much  ftilnefs  as  in  a  ileep,  the  t\ 
day  of   the  third  monh    1777,    and  was  decfnt      * 
interred  in  friend's  buPiTing  ground  at  the  Aa'     ' 
meeting-houfe,  the   twelth  of  the  fame;  ly/h    <^ 
being  attended  to  the  grave,  by  a  number  otM^.'f 
and  neighbours.  .-      .  /•'•'•/•.'    '* 


ci56       TESTIMONY  Concerning,  6^^. 

May  we  under  the  confideratiorof  our  great  lofs 
of  him,  and  many  other  faithful  labourers  iji  the 
Lord's  Vineyard,  now  removed  rom  us,  be  ex- 
cited fo  to  follow  their  footlteps,  that  with  them, 
we  may  be  partakers  of  that  ii\coruptible  inherit- 
ance, which  is  referved  for  tlie  rghteous,  when 
timeHiere  Ihall  be  no  more. 

Aged  fixty-four,  and  a  minifter  ibout  forty-four 
years.  \ 

Signed  on  behalf  of  faid  Monthlyneethlg^   held  ^J 
Adjournment  the  \Tth  of  the  %th\lonth^  ^77^ 

Joseph  GilliiAcham,  i^lerk. 


Blejfed  are  thofe  Servanis  whom  the  L(IiD  when 
He  Cometh^  Jhall  find  watching,     Lukex2.  37. 


Wit:  ^  \ 
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